There has been a media blitz of late regarding fuel cells as a promising renewal energy source. In the past year there was a CBS "Sixty Minute" segment on Bloom Energy, a Sunnyvale, California company, that has claimed that it has overcome one of the largest drawbacks to fuel cell, their cost, by using a sand-like substance to convert gases to electricity in lieu of precious metals. Some of Bloom's customers include, Wal-Mart, Google, and eBay.

There are two main applications for fuel cells: mobile and stationary power. There are some who foresee fuel cells replacing gasoline engines in auto and trucks, but the lack of refueling infrastructure has dampened such development.

Q. How do Fuel Cells Work?

A. Fuel cells convert gas fuels such as hydrogen and natural gas directly to electricity, without internal combustion that produces smog and other pollutants, when either hydrogen or natural gas is passed through a dense medium such as ceramic or molten carbonate.

Q. What are the advantages of fuel cells?

A. There are primary two advantages. First they don't pollute as do internal combustion engines. Fuel cells are considered one of the cleanest sources of energy. Secondly, compared to other renewal energy sources, such as solar PV panels, they don't take up much space. A fuel cell used to power a home would only be the size of an outside air conditioning or heat pump unit.

Q. What are the disadvantages to fuel cells?

A. There are several disadvantages. Currently, the largest disadvantage to fuel cells is cost. No one has yet mastered producing electricity with fuel cells and making a profit. The main reason is the high cost of materials used in manufacturing fuel cells. The second problem with fuel cells is that like a battery the fuel cells tend to degrade over time. Third, we currently lack the infrastructure to replace gasoline in vehicles.

Q. What is happening with mobile uses for fuel cells?

A. Several of the major auto companies including Honda, Toyota and BMW are developing technologies for fuel cells in autos. A company in New York, Plug Power, uses fuel cells to power forklifts for material handling.

Q. What is the future for fuel cells as renewable energy?

A. There is a lot to be excited about regarding fuel cells. As companies are able to continue lowering the cost of production we should see them in the future in both mobile and stationary applications. The key will be getting the cost down. Most experts see fuel cells as a supplement rather than a replacement for the grid. About the Author: Dale Schulz is the President of Schulz Homes, www.schulzhomes.com. He has been building and renovating custom homes in the area for nearly a quarter century. He is also the President and Founder of Virginia Renewable Energy, which retrofits new and existing homes with renewable energy systems, such as solar PV panel and wind turbines. You contact him as well as to send your questions for future columns to dale@schulzhomes.com. His phone number is 540.687.3367. Schulz Homes office is located at 5 North Hamilton St.