| Description
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A fuel cell is a device that converts the chemical energy from a fuel into electricity through a chemical reaction with oxygen or another oxidizing agent. Hydrogen is the most common fuel, but hydrocarbons such as natural gas and alcohols like methanol are used sometimes.
Beside stationary applications fuel-cells are also used to power vehicles, including tractors and forklifts.
In addition to electricity, fuel cells produce water and heat. Beside that, the emmisions are very low, mainly a very small amount of nitrogen dioxide. The electrical efficiency of a fuel cell is generally between 40–60%, using the waste heat the efficiency can go up to 85%.
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| Technology for the Application of
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| ☑ Solar
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☐ Biomass
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☐ Biofuel
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| ☐ Biogas
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☑ Wind
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☐ Geo-Thermal
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| ☑ Hydro
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☐ Energy Efficiency
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| ☑ Other: power generated with renewable resources
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| Primarily Relevant for the following Agricultural Value Chain Steps
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| ☐ Mechanization
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☐ Efficiency of Operation
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☑ Processing
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| ☐ Transportation
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☐ Controlled Atmosphere
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☐ Controlled Temperature
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| ☐ Mechanical Sorting
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☐ Preservation
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| ☑ Other: all steps, where combined power and heat or mobility are required
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| Primarily Relevant for the following Agricultural Value Chain Activities
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| ☐ Grinding
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☐ Hauling and conveying
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☐ Sorting
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| ☐ Seedbed Preparation
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☐ Milling
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☐ Tearing
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| ☐ Planting
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☐ Washing
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☐ Mixing
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| ☐ Pumping
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☑ Heating
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☑ Drying
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| ☐ Irrigation
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☐ Cooling
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☐ Animal feeding
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| ☐ Fertilizing
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☐ Venting
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☐ Animal health and Welfare
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| ☐ Pest Management
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☐ Lighting
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☐ Packing and branding
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| ☐ Cutting
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☐ Sanitation
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| ☑ Other: all actions, where combined power and heat or mobility are required
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| Primarily Implemented in the following Commodity Groups
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| ☐ Cereals
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☐ Fruits and vegetables
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☐ Nuts and berries
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| ☐ Forage
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☐ Dairy products
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☐ Meat products
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| ☐ Oil Seeds
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☐ Roots and Tubers
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☐ Eggs
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| ☐ Pulses
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☐ Fiber Crops
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☐ Forestry
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| ☐ Sugars
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☐ Stimulants
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☐ Spices
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| ☑ Other: all groups, where combined power and heat or mobility are required
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Region & Country of
Development
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None
☐ Africa
☐ South Asia
☐ East Asia & The Pacific
☐ Europe & Central Asia
☐ Latin America & The Caribbean
☐ Middle East & North Africa
☐ North America
☐ N/A: /
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Region & Country of
Current Deployment
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None
☐ Africa
☐ South Asia
☐ East Asia & The Pacific
☐ Europe & Central Asia
☐ Latin America & The Caribbean
☐ Middle East & North Africa
☐ North America
☐ N/A: /
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Region & Country of
Potential Deployment
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None
☐ Africa
☐ South Asia
☐ East Asia & The Pacific
☐ Europe & Central Asia
☐ Latin America & The Caribbean
☐ Middle East & North Africa
☐ North America
☐ N/A: /
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| Manufacturers
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Here is a list of 200 companies related to fuel cell development or production: http://www.fuelcells.org/top_200.cgim?slug=
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| Economics
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In some specific applications, fuel cells are already economic at the given frame conditions (2014). Upcoming serial production will lower the cost of fuel cells and will probably allow a broader use with short payback times in many stationary and mobile applications.
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| Technology Development Level
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First Implementations; Many development projects and commercial projects of stationary and mobile fuel cell applications; Close to the edge technology for a soon commercial break through;
Prototype of hydrogene powered tractor (New Holland, http://agriculture.newholland.com/us/en/About-New-Holland/Innovation/Pages/NH2-Tractor.aspx)
Hydrogene delivery infrastructure has to be established;
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| Required Maintenance Technical Level
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Medium: Technology can be maintained through its life cycle with uncommon tools and requires moderate training for maintenance;
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| Required Infrastructure for Deployment
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Medium: Technology development requires uncommon tools, mid-development level supporting technologies and moderately trained personnel;
Reliable hydrogene or natural gas supply system;
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| Required Resources during manufacture
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Water, metals, chemicals, industrial production facilities;
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| Required Resources during operation
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Fuels: mainly hydrogene or methane;
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Deployment
Level
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Local availability; Fuel cells are in an early deployment stage, used in several stationary and mobile applications yet;
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| Deployment Capability and Potential
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Very high; The technology can be widely deployed but resources or material supply and distribution chains are required;
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| Requirements for Deployment
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Industrial serial production to bring down the cost; Fuel-supply infrastructure; Know-how transfer and engineering;
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| Relevance for Autonomy and Food Security
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Depending on the application, fuel cells can have an important impact on food security, when fuel source is renewable;
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| Environment Impacts (emissions)
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Low: When fuel comes from a renewable energy source;
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| Conformity with Bio- Cybernetic System Rules
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Hydrogene economy with fuel cells based on renewable energies is in good compliance with the Cybernetic System Rules.
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| Additional information / Comments
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No comments.
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| Internal Reference
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| Additional Links
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http://www.pointsourcepower.com/products.html
http://www.rsc.org/chemistryworld/News/2011/October/31101103.asp
http://www.bigpictureagriculture.com/2013/08/1959-fuel-cell-tractor-419.html
http://agriculture.newholland.com/us/en/About-New-Holland/Innovation/Pages/NH2-Tractor.aspx
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuel_cell
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