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" The environmental impact of fuel cells depends on the type of cell and the fuel being used. Fuel cells can run on a variety of sources, from natural gas to hydrogen to ethanol to biogas. Those that run on hydrogen can sometimes produce a by-product of water or heat, though hydrogen fuel cells are considered more difficult to work with because of transportation and storage. More user friendly fuel cells which use natural gas with emissions that are much lower than those produced by conventional engines or energy sources and can reduce your carbon footprint by around 40%. Additionally, there are only negligible levels of NOx, SOx, Volatile organic compounds and particulates, which is a drastic improvement over traditional means of grid power production. Besides the decreased CO2 emissions and high efficiency rates, fuel cells offer plenty of positive environmental impacts that should be considered by investors and consumers as solutions for cleaner energy are being further researched. 1. Fuel Conservation The use of fuel cells can significantly diminish our dependency on foreign oil. Since fuel cells make energy electrochemically and do not burn fuel like conventional combustion systems, they are much more efficient. Admittedly, some fuel cells need fossil fuels to start their functions; most residential systems run partially off of natural gas. If just 20% of the cars in America used fuel cells, we could cut oil imports by 1.5 million barrels per day. This is $44 billion per year that could remain in the country! 2. Combined Heat and Power The greatest benefit from high powered, well designed fuel cells is the heat and power produced. This means that a property can reduce additional investments to heat their indoor areas or water. In this case, less is more. Since the heat can be redirected to heat water, the environmental benefit from this is the ability to heat the hot water supply without a need for a separate system as is the case with home solar."

says most things about hydrogen and what it does

"Advantages: Solar power gives you a return on your investment, while paying your utility for electricity gives you 0% return. Solar energy is renewable unlike the conventional resources (coal, oil) which will inevitably run out. Non-polluting, no carbon dioxide like fossil fuels Free except for capital expenses. Longevity - solar panels can last over twenty years Low maintenance - solar panels require very little upkeep Independence - an off-grid system allows you to break free from the electrical grid Environmentally friendly because the conversion of energy doesn't produce any carbon dioxide. It comes from the sun, which, unless you are in The South or North pole, comes out almost everyday Solar power is better for the environment, compared to burning fossil fuels and other electrical power. sun is renewable You get clean energy without harming the environment [in term of carbon emissions] , in certain countries, excessive power generated can be sold back to local electricity provider reduces pollution helps create jobs - shores up economy - to build -> you hire - innovate-maintain - basically economic activities reduced dependence on fossil fuels Once installed, the power is free It is environmentally friendly and no pollution is associated with solar power You can sell your excess power back to the power companies It can be installed anywhere You can use batteries to store power for use at night Energy from the sun is renewable, that is, it keeps on coming It is free It does no damage to the earth or its atmosphere It produces no carbon dioxide It doesn't have to be dug up from the ground like coal, oil, natural gas, or uranium It doesn't have to be cut down, like wood from forests. It produces clean, green power in the form of electricity and can be used to power just about everything we need. There is more solar energy landing on the earth every day than it would take to supply the world for a year. Solar energy can heat swimming pools, power calcul

Fuel cell cars are expensive.  The fuel cell costs a lot

The article we read in class. Use the summary we wrote or refer to this.

"In 2003, President Bush announced a program called the Hydrogen Fuel Initiative (HFI) during his State of the Union Address."

It shows how its sustainable 

"Fossil fuels, even when burned perfectly (natural gas, or methane, burns the best) release carbon dioxide which is a greenhouse gas causing dangerous global warming. Most fossil fuels also release smoke (leading to smog), and they may also release sulfur oxides and nitrogen oxides which contribute to acid rain."

"Fossil fuels, even when burned perfectly (natural gas, or methane, burns the best) release carbon dioxide which is a greenhouse gas causing dangerous global warming. Most fossil fuels also release smoke (leading to smog), and they may also release sulfur oxides and nitrogen oxides which contribute to acid rain."

"Although fuel cells are more expensive than fossil fuels, it is predicted that in the near future, fuel cell power will be less expensive and more efficient. The cost is an enticing advantage for the future."

wind to fossil fuels 

"Fossil fuel power stations typically cost about $2.1 dollars per watt to build solar stations around $7 at present. The efficiency is increasing and costs are falling. This of course does not represent the cost to the consumer. In addition it does not take into account all the various other costs and the advantages and disadvantages of each. Fuel (fossil stations), poor sunlight (solar stations). Maintenance costs are similar for single plants but solar stations do not have the capacity of fossil fuel stations."

wind turbine stuff

"Wind power is the conversion of wind energy into a useful form of energy, such as using wind turbines to make electrical power, windmills for mechanical power, wind pumps for water pumping or drainage, or sails to propel ships."

Wind power, as an alternative to fossil fuels, is plentiful, renewable, widely distributed, clean, produces no greenhouse gas emissions during operation and uses little land.[2] The effects on the environment are generally less problematic than those from other power sources. As of 2011, Denmark is generating more than a quarter of its electricity from wind and 83 countries around the world are using wind power on a commercial basis.[3] In 2010 wind energy production was over 2.5% of total worldwide electricity usage, and growing rapidly at more than 25% per annum. The monetary cost per unit of energy produced is similar to the cost for new coal and natural gas installations.[4]

" United States, onshore and near-shore turbines kill 70,000 birds per year, compared to 57 million killed by cars and 97.5 million killed by collisions with plate glass."

"Geo thermal systems heat and cool your house cheaper and better than fossil fuels will with gas going up pretty soon you would not be able to afford it. It might be costly to put one in your house initially but it will pay itself off in 3-5 years. Also there is a company called ECONAR that builds a heat pump that will cool, heat, and do 50 to 100% of your hot water heat. Fossil fuels also produce carbon dioxide when burnt, adding to the greenhouse gases and contributing to climate change."