Environmental Impacts of Hydrogen Fuel Cells (College Board AP® Environmental Science): Study Guide

Advantages & disadvantages of hydrogen fuel cells

Advantages of hydrogen-oxygen fuel cells

• Clean energy: the only byproducts are water and heat, with no greenhouse gas emissions

• Highly efficient as the fuel cells convert chemical energy directly into electrical energy, reducing energy losses

• Renewable potential as hydrogen can be produced from renewable sources like water (via electrolysis) or biomass

• Fuel cells operate quietly and have a quick start-up time

• Versatile uses such as fuel in vehicles, backup power systems, and portable electronics

Disadvantages of hydrogen-oxygen fuel cells

• Producing hydrogen is challenging as most hydrogen is currently produced from fossil fuels, emitting CO₂ in the process

  • Electrolysis needs large amounts of energy input

• Storing and transporting hydrogen is difficult as it is highly flammable and escapes containment easily

• Fuel cell systems and hydrogen production are expensive compared to conventional energy systems

• Fuel cells can degrade over time, especially under high temperatures or varying loads

• Infrastructure: hydrogen refueling stations are not widely available, which limits hydrogen fuel use in transportation