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Technical and Commercial Challenges of Proton-Exchange Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cells

Author

Listed:
  • Abed Alaswad

    (College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK)

  • Abdelnasir Omran

    (College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK)

  • Jose Ricardo Sodre

    (College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK)

  • Tabbi Wilberforce

    (College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK)

  • Gianmichelle Pignatelli

    (Department of Mechanics, Mathematics & Management, University of Bari, Piazza Umberto I, 1, 70121 Bari BA, Italy)

  • Michele Dassisti

    (Department of Mechanics, Mathematics & Management, University of Bari, Piazza Umberto I, 1, 70121 Bari BA, Italy)

  • Ahmad Baroutaji

    (School of Engineering, University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton WV1 1LY, UK)

  • Abdul Ghani Olabi

    (Sustainable and Renewable Energy Engineering, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, UAE)

Abstract

This review critically evaluates the latest trends in fuel cell development for portable and stationary fuel cell applications and their integration into the automotive industry. Fast start-up, high efficiency, no toxic emissions into the atmosphere and good modularity are the key advantages of fuel cell applications. Despite the merits associated with fuel cells, the high cost of the technology remains a key factor impeding its widespread commercialization. Therefore, this review presents detailed information into the best operating conditions that yield maximum fuel cell performance. The paper recommends future research geared towards robust fuel cell geometry designs, as this determines the cell losses, and material characterization of the various cell components. When this is done properly, it will support a total reduction in the cost of the cell which in effect will reduce the total cost of the system. Despite the strides made by the fuel cell research community, there is a need for public sensitization as some people have reservations regarding the safety of the technology. This hurdle can be overcome if there is a well-documented risk assessment, which also needs to be considered in future research activities.

Suggested Citation

  • Abed Alaswad & Abdelnasir Omran & Jose Ricardo Sodre & Tabbi Wilberforce & Gianmichelle Pignatelli & Michele Dassisti & Ahmad Baroutaji & Abdul Ghani Olabi, 2020. "Technical and Commercial Challenges of Proton-Exchange Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cells," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-21, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:14:y:2020:i:1:p:144-:d:470170
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    3. Daniel Garraín & Santacruz Banacloche & Paloma Ferreira-Aparicio & Antonio Martínez-Chaparro & Yolanda Lechón, 2021. "Sustainability Indicators for the Manufacturing and Use of a Fuel Cell Prototype and Hydrogen Storage for Portable Uses," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-15, October.
    4. Enas Taha Sayed & Abdul Ghani Olabi & Abdul Hai Alami & Ali Radwan & Ayman Mdallal & Ahmed Rezk & Mohammad Ali Abdelkareem, 2023. "Renewable Energy and Energy Storage Systems," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(3), pages 1-26, February.
    5. Yaser Abdollahfard & Mehdi Sedighi & Mostafa Ghasemi, 2023. "A New Approach for Improving Microbial Fuel Cell Performance Using Artificial Intelligence," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-14, January.
    6. Mingzhang Pan & Chengjie Pan & Jinyang Liao & Chao Li & Rong Huang & Qiwei Wang, 2021. "Assessment of Sensitivity to Evaluate the Impact of Operating Parameters on Stability and Performance in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-23, July.
    7. Markus Pollak & Philipp Bekemeyer & Nicholas Lemke & Wilhelm Tegethoff & Juergen Koehler, 2023. "Analysis of Surrogate Models for Vapour Transport and Distribution in a Hollow Fibre Membrane Humidifier," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(6), pages 1-23, March.

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