About the Program
The Fuel Cell Technologies Program conducts comprehensive efforts to overcome the technological, economic, and institutional barriers to the widespread commercialization of hydrogen and fuel cells. The program is aligned with the strategic vision and goals of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The program's efforts will help secure U.S. leadership in clean energy technologies and advance U.S. economic competitiveness and scientific innovation.
Hydrogen and fuel cells offer a broad range of benefits for the environment, for our nation's energy security, and for our domestic economy, including reduced greenhouse gas emissions, reduced oil consumption, expanded use of renewable power (through use of hydrogen for energy storage and transmission), highly efficient energy conversion, fuel flexibility (use of diverse, domestic fuels, including clean and renewable fuels), reduced air pollution, and highly reliable grid support. Fuel cells also have numerous advantages that make them appealing for end-users, including quiet operation, low maintenance needs, and high reliability. In addition to using hydrogen, fuel cells can provide power from a variety of other fuels, including natural gas and renewable fuels such as methanol or biogas.
Hydrogen and fuel cells can provide these benefits and address critical challenges in all energy sectors—commercial, residential, industrial, and transportation—through their use in diverse applications, including distributed energy and combined-heat-and-power systems; backup power systems; systems for storing and transmitting renewable energy; portable power; auxiliary power for trucks, aircraft, rail, and ships; specialty vehicles such as forklifts; and passenger and freight vehicles, including cars, light trucks, buses, and short-haul trucks.
DOE is the lead federal agency for directing and integrating activities in hydrogen and fuel cell R&D as authorized in the Energy Policy Act of 2005. The Fuel Cell Technologies Program is responsible for coordinating the R&D activities for DOE's Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Program, which includes activities within four DOE offices (Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy [EERE], Office of Fossil Energy, Office of Nuclear Energy, and Office of Science).
Guided by the Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Program Plan, the Fuel Cell Technologies Program within EERE works in partnership with industry, academia, and national laboratories—and in close coordination with the Vehicle Technologies Program and other programs at DOE—to:
Overcome technical barriers through R&D of hydrogen production, delivery, and storage technologies, as well as fuel cell technologies for transportation, distributed stationary power, and portable power applications
Address safety issues and facilitate the development of model codes and standards
Validate and demonstrate hydrogen and fuel cells in real-world conditions
Educate key stakeholders whose acceptance of these technologies will determine their success in the marketplace.