Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: Hydrogen Fuel Cell and its Working, IPHE

Mains level: Hydrogen as a alternate fuel

Why in the news-

The 41st Steering Committee Meeting of the International Partnership for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in the Economy (IPHE) is being convened in New Delhi.
The IPHE Steering Committee Meetings held biannually serve as a crucial platform for fostering international collaboration and coordination among member countries, stakeholders, and decision-makers.

What is a Fuel Cell?

A fuel cell is an electrochemical cell that converts the chemical energy into electricity of a fuel and an oxidizing agent.
It generates electrical energy from fuel through an electrochemical reaction, offering high efficiency and zero emissions.
They are an innovative technology poised to revolutionize electricity generation, often referred to as the “battery of the future“.
Fuel cells provide high efficiency, low emissions, and can be used in various applications.
Note: Any electrochemical cell generates DC (Direct Current) output.

Hydrogen fuel cells operate on the principle of electrochemical reactions.
Hydrogen gas (H2) is fed into the anode (negative electrode) of the fuel cell, while oxygen (usually from the air) is fed into the cathode (positive electrode).
At the anode, hydrogen molecules are split into protons (H+) and electrons (e-).
The protons travel through an electrolyte to the cathode, while the electrons flow through an external circuit, generating electricity.
At the cathode, oxygen molecules react with the protons and electrons to form water (H2O), which is the only byproduct of the process.

The IPHE was established in 2003 as an international inter-governmental partnership led by the US.
It aims to accelerate progress in hydrogen and fuel cell technologies.
IPHE comprises 21 member countries and the European Commission as a non-voting member.
Member countries include major economies such as the United States, Japan, Germany, China, South Korea, and Canada, among others including India.
Additionally, the United Kingdom, Russia, and Singapore have also been mentioned in various contexts within the provided sources but are NOT explicitly listed as members of IPHE.

Faster Transition: IPHE aims to facilitate and accelerate the transition to clean and efficient energy and mobility systems using hydrogen and fuel cell technologies across different applications and sectors.
Information Sharing Platform: The partnership provides a platform for sharing information on member country initiatives, policies, technology status, safety, regulations, codes, standards, and outreach efforts.
Advancing Clean Hydrogen Technologies: IPHE promotes a sustainable future by highlighting the versatility of hydrogen in various industries and its role in decarbonizing energy systems.

In 2023, IPHE announced the launch of the H2-DEIA platform in partnership with the Hydrogen Council.
It is dedicated to advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) within the hydrogen and fuel cell economy.
It aims to foster a diverse workforce, share best practices, and support workforce development in the hydrogen sector.

Q.With reference to ‘Fuel Cells’ in which hydrogen-rich fuel and oxygen are used to generate electricity, consider the following statements:

If pure hydrogen is used as a fuel, the fuel cell emits heat and water as by-products.
Fuel cells can be used for powering buildings and not for small devices like laptop computers.
Fuel cells produce electricity in the form of Alternating Current (AC).

Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (CSP 2015)

Regarding the International Partnership for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in the Economy (IPHE), consider the following statements:

IPHE is an international inter-governmental partnership based on the auspices of the United Nations.
India is a member of IPHE.

Which of the given statements is/are correct?