If automakers can make hydrogen fuel cell of reasonable output power (50kW+) small enough
and cheap enough to be put under the bonnet, that’s nice. But, before we reach that point, the
industry should be able to make mach smaller (3 to 5kW) and cheaper fuel cell for household
stationary use. Fuel (hydrogen) for this system can be made by reforming natural gas already
piped into practically all the household in urban areas. Thermal efficiency of this system can be
as high as 60 percent if hot water for kitchen and bathroom is co-produced by the waste
heat generated during the reforming process.
The electricity generated by this system can energize our house and also be used to charge
electric vehicles such as Tesla and Leaf. Cost of hydro power is going up and up, at least in BC,
while cost of natural gas is steady or going down gradually as production in Canada and U.S.
increases. Today we pay a little more than 10 cents per kW for electricity and less than 5 cents
for natural gas for the same amount of energy (3.6MJ). Factoring the above 60 percent thermal
efficiency in the calculation, the electricity generated by the household fuel cell should cost less than
10 cents per kW disregarding the initial cost of the fuel cell system.
By the time fuel cell vehicle (which is in essence an electric vehicle) becomes viable,
Lithium-ion cells will be much cheaper in cost and smaller in size making cruising range farther
per charge.