The proton passes through the electrolyte. The electrons create a separate current before they return to the cathode, to be reunited with the hydrogen and oxygen in a molecule of water. As we pointed out before, compared with conventional fossil-fuel power sources, fuel cells are exceptionally clean and efficient. Their main waste product is water. Since the fuel cell relies on chemistry and not combustion, emissions from this system would still be much smaller than emissions from the cleanest fuel combustion processes.
Fuel cells can avoid the cost of constructing big power lines that run long distances.
These power lines can cost millions of dollars. Instead of running power lines, fuel cells can be placed next to your neighborhood or shopping center or parent's office. Putting small-scale fuel cell generators close to the customers allows your power company to meet new or peak demand for electricity without building big new power stations. Copyright 2000 Pinnacle West Energy. All rights reserved.