Fuel Cells A Viable RV Power Source? The first time I learned of fuel cells was years ago during the mid-'60s. Diana Ross & the Supremes were on the radio and NASA's Gemini space program was in the news. Being a youngster at the time, I had never given much thought as to how space capsules were internally powered. I figured they had batteries. Then I read about this amazing power source that NASA was using to provide onboard electrical power for its space capsule – a system that generated electricity and heat and produced water as a byproduct. Yes, this achievement was called a fuel cell, and I assumed that it represented the very latest in cutting edge technology. Little did I know at the time that the first fuel cell was invented in 1839. Yet, it took another 160 years for the scientific community to respond to the environmental challenge of greenhouse gases – and limited oil supplies – by accelerating fuel cell research in earnest. An additional impetus came in 1990 when California instituted its "zero emissions vehicle" (ZEV) policy. Now, although researchers still must improve performance and cut costs, we appear to be standing on the brink of a world-changing transformation as revolutionary as the introduction of the light bulb, the internal combustion engine or space travel. For fuel cells, even though the general public doesn’t know all that much about them yet, promise to generate incredibly clean energy with remarkable efficiency and minimal noise. A fuel cell employs much of the same principle as a battery, although it does not have the fundamental need of a battery to be recharged. Nor does it "run down". In a simple fuel cell, hydrogen and oxygen are combined utilizing electrochemistry, not combustion – essentially electrolysis of water in reverse. The result is the generation of electricity, albeit in small amounts. To increase the power, simply add more cells and supply more hydrogen. Sound far fetched? That’s probably how our grandparents would have viewed us sitting today in giant, airborne aluminum tubes, sipping cocktails in relative comfort while traveling at speeds of 500 mph! Of course, there are some details that still need to be worked out. Fueled by pure hydrogen, the most abundant element in the universe, fuel cells produce zero emissions, a phenomenal attribute in an era when the world’s western powers are trying to reduce emissions and improve air quality worldwide. But, because hydrogen does not exist in pure form naturally, the goal, at least now, is to extract it from fuels rich in hydrocarbons, such as propane, or methanol. Such extraction is called "reforming". And, even though the hydrogen is not pure, noxious emissions are still near zero. Another obstacle is cost. Currently fuel cells are significantly more expensive than internal combustion generators. But prices are gradually becoming more affordable due to a classic cost/performance curve experienced by many new technologies subject to mass production – from calculators to personal computers. So, let’s assume that the fuel cell, cost-wise, will go the way of the first $1,200 video cassette recorders. How the final product should be configured is also something of a riddle. Unlike generators that have few variations on a design to fit multiple applications, fuel cells are different. A fuel cell system will probably consist of five elements: fuel cell, fuel storage tank, fuel processor, battery pack and the electronic control (for monitoring and conditioning equipment). The configuration of these elements could and probably will change, depending on the application. For example, a travel trailer may not require as large a battery pack as a fifth-wheel and may require a smaller fuel cell, fuel tank and less elaborate power management. A Class A motorhome system might be different still. In short, the design requirements of one affect the design requirements of the other. Recently, Atwood Mobile Products, Rockford, Ill., the company for which I work, took a tentative plunge into fuel cell technology with the announcement of a joint development agreement with IdaTech, a company based in Bend, Ore. While Atwood is synonymous with recreational vehicle componentry, IdaTech is recognized as a leader in the development of small-scale fuel cell systems and components. IdaTech’s many patents include a fuel processor that converts fuels such as methanol, natural gas and propane into hydrogen that is 99.9% pure. Together, Atwood and IdaTech seek to revolutionize the recreational vehicle industry in much the same way that compact discs have changed the way we listen to music. The first priority will be to understand how power is used in RV applications. To accomplish this, Atwood and IdaTech will begin monitoring power use in campgrounds throughout the United States in the spring. Utilizing monitoring devices directly attached to the hookups in campgrounds, we will be able to collect data regarding power consumption for several days in several geographical areas. Together, we hope to answer basic questions such as: How many kilowatts of power are consumed by the typical RVer in a day? When are peak demand periods? How are Class A requirements different from those of a travel trailer? How does turning on an air-conditioner affect power consumption? How does operating two air-conditioners affect the power to other appliances? Once we have a fundamental understanding of how power is used in a recreational vehicle, we will be able to engineer a fuel cell system that could virtually eliminate the need to plug into a shore line. A key to this concept is power management, which, in its simplest form, is making sure that the highest quality power is available when and where it’s needed. Elements of a power management system involve inverters, regulators, controls and sensors, as well as battery management. Think of it as prioritizing power. Once perfected, fuel cells utilizing power management may literally eliminate 12-volt systems in recreational vehicles. Having said all this, would I advise people to run out and try to buy a fuel-cell-powered appliance today? Certainly not. Fuel cells for RVs are at least two years away, maybe more. Even then, they may only be available for a specific segment and not across the breadth of the industry. For the time being - and maybe longer – generators are the best means of supplying additional electricity for an RV. But, will fuel cells change our industry? Absolutely. Not only will they change the industry, they will change the world. Some examples: Because of the low energy conversion efficiencies of conventional power plants, only about one-third of the energy produced actually reaches the user! Fuel cells can operate at two or three-times the efficiency of conventional gensets, with greatly reduced emissions. In addition, they will be able to bring quiet, clean power to remote areas not accessible to power lines. Furthermore, the use of fuel cells will allow increased implementation of "Distributed Power", a new approach from utility companies, which are wanting to locate power generators closer to the point of demand. Introducing reliable and durable fuel cells into the transportation industry will help reduce the effect on the climate of air-pollution emissions such as carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen oxide. "We believe that fuel cells have the potential in our lifetime to end the 100-year reign of the internal combustion engine", said Nick Scheele, president of Ford of Europe, adding that the first test fleet will be on the road in California by the end of the year. Thus, it is not hard to see the jump from Detroit to our industry simply in the area of chassis. More than two years ago, in March of 1998, fuel cell-equipped buses began routes in Chicago. Meanwhile, several other organizations in the country are evaluating public transportation systems for possible fuel cell use, including locomotives, taxis and people movers. And it’s possible that we will see some commercial applications yet this year. Now, for moment, consider a scenario that is quite specific to this sector: Internal combustion engines are currently prohibited from generating electricity after 10 p.m. in some national parks. But fuel cells could run for 24 hours a day with only a quiet hum. Given the efficiencies of fuel cells, campgrounds might be forced to offer sites for fuel cell users. After all, what’s the point of sandwiching a fuel cell user between two gas-powered rigs? Indeed, in my opinion, the day may come when campgrounds promote themselves as "Fuel Cell Only"! A 19-year veteran of the recreational vehicle industry, Larry Lebryk works out of Atwood’s Rockford, Ill., headquarters. Lebryk, a former Coachmen executive, also manages Atwood’s Consumer Services Group, and serves as product manager for the company’s fledgling fuel cell program. This article appeared in "RVBusiness", May 2001