Fuel cell applications are stationary fuel cell applications (or stationary fuel cell power systems) and portable fuel cell plications (or portable fuel cell power systems). Stationary (not moving) fuel cell applications are either connected to the electric grid (distributed generation) to provide supplemental power and as emergency power system for critical areas, or installed as a grid-independent generator for on-site service. Portable (movable) fuel cell applications are either used as micropower in consumer electronic devices to provide power or as portable power in emergency power systems for critical areas.
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Stationary fuel cell applications is a classification in FC hydrogen codes and standards and fuel cell codes and standards. The other main standards are Portable fuel cell applications and Fuel cell vehicle.
More than 2500 fuel cell systems have been installed all over the world — in hospitals, nursing homes, hotels, office buildings, schools, utility power plants. Portable fuel cell systems supply power for cars , submarines, spacecraft, etc.; charging batteries for digital cameras, mobile phones etc.
Emergency power systems are a type fuel cell system, which may include lighting, generators and other apparatus, to provide backup resources in a crisis or when regular systems fail. They find uses in a wide variety of settings from residential homes to hospitals, scientific laboratories, data centers[1], telecommunication[2] equipment and modern naval ships.
Small portable emergency power systems are a type fuel cell system, which may include lighting, generators and other apparatus, to provide backup resources in a crisis or when regular systems fail.
An uninterrupted power supply (UPS) provides emergency power and, depending on the topology, provide line regulation as well to connected equipment by supplying power from a separate source when utility power is not available. It differs from an auxiliary power supply or standby generator, which does not provide instant protection from a momentary power interruption.
Cogeneration can be used when the fuel cell is sited near the point of use, its waste heat can be captured for beneficial purposes. Micro combined heat and power (MicroCHP) is usually less than 5 kWe for a home fuel cell or small business[3].
Portable power systems that use fuel cells, can be used in the leisure sector (ie. RV's, Cabins, Marine), the industrial sector (ie. power for remote locations including gas/oil wellsites, communication towers, security, weather stations etc.), or in the military sector. SFC Energy[4] is German manufacturer of Direct methanol fuel cell's, which uses their fuel cell for a variety of portable power systems. Ensol Systems Inc.[5] is an integrator of portable power systems, using the SFC Energy DMFC.