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A hydrogen fuel cell takes hydrogen (H2) and oxygen (O2) and combines them to produce water and electricity. This process was first demonstrated in 1838 with the first linked cells producing electricity created by William Grove a year later. Many different types of fuel cells exist that operate in a range of conditions with a range of different fuels, from low temperature Proton Exchange Membrane fuel cells to high temperature Solid Oxide fuel cells.

The fuel cell installed as part of  The Hydrogen Office Project (2008-2014) was a 10kW Proton Exchange Membrane fuel cell built by Altergy Systems. Each cell in this fuel cell stack consists of two electrodes separated by a Proton Exchange Membrane made by a material called Nafion. This material allows protons to exchange across it. However, electrons are forced through the electrode and around the loop to complete the circuit. This flow of electrons is a current and therefore electricity. The water produced by the reaction is managed by the fuel cell control systems and any excess is simply drained away. Our system used hydrogen from the tank and oxygen from the air.

Since undertaking the Levenmouth Community Energy Project, BGH has now installed a 100kW PEM fuel cell.