This article is Part 2 of a series featuring solutions for always-on mission-critical microgrid applications. The last installment discussed battery energy storage systems (BESSs) using lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries for managing hybrid energy sources.
While still considered an emerging technology in some industries, fuel cells have been used in various applications for more than 50 years. Due to their high costs, fuel cells were primarily used by the U.S. government for aerospace applications — most famously the Apollo 11 mission, which first landed humans on the moon. However, the cost of hydrogen fuel cells has dropped significantly in recent years, making them an increasingly viable option for mission-critical organizations looking for more carbon-neutral, always-on power sources for local generation.