Economy and Business Tuesday, July 19, 2011 Feds invest in fuel cells to bring down costs A $6.6 million investment into fuel cell generators for miliatry bases will help create a test market while lowering the cost of production for commerical investors, expert says by WKSU's ANNA STAVER |
 Reporter Anna Staver | |
A Columbus military base is one of eight chosen across the U.S. to replace diesel generators with fuel cells. The U.S. Department of Energy and the Defense Department announced today (Tuesday) that they will install 18 of the fuel cell backup systems. Fuel cells convert Hydrogen and Oxygen into energy.
Case Western Reserve University professor Robert Savinell says fuel-cell generators already have several advantages. They are quieter, more efficient, require less maintenance and are environmentally friendly. But, Savinell says there is one disadvantage. |
Savinell explains fuel cell drawbacksOther options: MP3 Download (0:29)
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The Department of Energy says the price of fuel cells has dropped by more than 80 percent over the last decade because of research initiatives like this one. The total cost of the project is 6.6 million dollars. |
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