Fuel cells offer favorable operating costs when compared to other technologies because fuel cells are inherently energy efficient. For instance, a fuel cell offers efficiencies equivalent to or greater than the best utility power plants, and the waste heat is usable. Second, fuel cells reduce pollution both noise pollution and air pollution. Because fuel cells are relatively quiet, they can be placed in or near a typical residential home without expensive noise insulation. And because fuel cells are energy efficient, the emissions of carbon dioxide and other pollutants per kW of electrical energy output is reduced.
Air is blown into the cathode chamber and hydrogen is forced into the anode chamber.
In addition to DC electricity, the only byproducts are pure water and heat. But, when manufactured in volume, the cost is expected to be affordable. Until recently, technology for extracting hydrogen from these common sources has been lacking. Nearly all of the automobile manufacturers, most notably Ford, DaimlerChrysler, and Toyota, are engaged in large development programs aimed at a fuel-cell powered passenger car. The power plant would be rated nominally at 50 kW or about 70 horsepower.