COMMUNITY COMMENTARY:

I recently toured the National Fuel Cell Research Center at UCI. This facility, under the direction of Scott Samuelson, is the leading fuel-cell research facility in the United Sates. The widespread availability of this technology in the future would greatly benefit California’s economic vitality and help it become energy independent.

All of us agree on the importance of finding ways to increase our energy supply to maintain California’s economic health and stability. California is faced with an ever-growing population, increased electricity consumption and possible climate change problems. We urgently need to develop alternative sources of electrical energy.

Another issue facing the state stems from the fact that we have been importing 16% of our electricity from out-of-state coal-fired power plants. This year, however, the Public Utilities Commission banned the purchase of electricity from coal-fired power plants as part of the state’s fight against global warming. As a result, the state will need to identify affordable and clean forms of alternative energy to replace the 16% of its electricity supply currently produced by coal-fired plants. Energy from fuel cells may be one solution to help address this growing demand for clean energy.

Today, most of California’s electricity is produced by a process known as “central generation.” Power is generated in a large plant and electricity is transmitted through the power grid to commercial and residential consumers. A major drawback to this system of energy production however, is that it operates at only 30% efficiency.

On the other hand, fuel-cell technology directly converts chemical energy into electrical energy through a process known as “reverse hydrolysis.” This system of energy production uses hydrogen, derived from natural gas. The natural gas is converted directly into electrical energy, thereby eliminating the need for combustion and leaving water and heat as the only byproducts. This process produces energy at an overall efficiency exceeding 80%, and is environmentally friendly, producing virtually zero pollutants.

Today, fuel cells are being used in stationary power applications to provide electricity to homes and offices. In the 1990s, a major hotel in Irvine installed a fuel cell, which provided electrical energy to the hotel, and the heat generated by the fuel cell was used to power the hotel’s cooling system.

Fuel cells are also being used in space shuttles, cars, trucks and laptop computers. In the near future, Californians may be able to purchase fuel cells for use in their homes.

Fuel cell technology has the potential to reduce pollution, lessen energy costs to consumers and decrease American reliance on foreign sources of oil.

The National Fuel Cell Research Center at UCI is an internationally recognized leader in advancing innovative developments with respect to fuel cells. It focuses its activities on research, development and the demonstration of fuel cell technology. Additionally, the center is serving as a bridge between the university and industry for the purpose of improving its research and working toward the large scale deployment of fuel cell technology.

We are indeed fortunate to have this fuel-cell research and development facility right here in Orange County at UCI. The research being conducted under Samuelson’s leadership will prove invaluable to businesses and communities in California as well as the rest of the world.

SEN. TOM HARMAN represents District 35.