What utility companies should known about fuel cells

Fuel cells are warming up. A world that ten years ago was unaware of the concept now can witness approximately 200 fuel cell units operating in 15 countries. An increasing number of utility company planners and decision makers have begun to ask whether fuel cells might fit into their future. While the fuel cell concept is simple, determining which type of fuel cell to consider may prove taxing. The multiplicity of fuel cells and their development programs, coupled with the amount of subject material and claims-versus-reality, may seem complex. Also to be reckoned with is the changing utility environment that might portend well for distributed generation with technologies such as fuel cells. This paper provides a road map of major fuel cell development in the US. It offers some views about the impact of the changing utility environment on fuel cells.