The electricity is produced without rotating machines, and at efficiencies considerably better than those obtained in even the largest fuel-burning engines and power stations. Fuel cells are silent and efficient, even at part loads, and so their advantages are particularly strong when issues of pollution and energy conservation are to the fore. One area where Fuel Cells are set to make a big impact is in Combined Heat and Power systems. The heat can be used, unlike in the large power stations where the heat energy is just wasted. They produce a lot of heat, and not enough electricity.
Fuel cells are completely silent, and much more of the energy is converted into electricity.
Large coal, oil or gas power station. Fuel cells, with their very high efficiency even at low powers, their silent operation, their simplicity and inherent reliability, are the best type of energy converter for CHP systems - the only trouble is that at the moment they still cost more. Another very important boost to fuel cell use has been given by recent decisions of some US state governments. Rechargeable batteries are very heavy and take a long time to charge. The fact that fuel cells need hydrogen fuel is a problem for the motorist, as it is not readily available, but this problem is more easily solved for buses, since only one point of supply is needed, the bus garage.