Facts Box: Fuel Cell Technology for Disaster Management

The scientists of ARCI (Advanced Research for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials) recently developed PEMFC (Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells). The technology is to be used to manage Natural Disasters.

Highlights

The PEMFC is a system with 10 KW capacity. They have operational advantage to operate at low-temperature in decentralized systems of power generation. The technology was developed at Chennai centre of ARCI.

The system is to be used to operate early warning systems using phones, ethernet, computers, FAX, etc.

Significance

The technology is to act as power house to Emergency Operation Centres. The Control Rooms that respond to disasters are now being altered as Emergency Operation Centres. Therefore, the technology has come in at the right time.

It provides immediate support during Golden Hour. They operate using hydrogen gas and there is no necessity to use grid power.

Fuel Cells

The Fuel cell uses chemical energy to generate electricity. It consists of 2 electrodes called anode and cathode. It also holds an electrolyte that acts as catalyst to speed up reactions at electrodes. The main advantage of fuel cell is that it creates minimum waste (pollution).

Month: Current Affairs - March, 2020