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The article presents information on the developments made in the fuel cell technology. Fuel cell technology is emerging as a true alternative to combustion heat engines for the production of electrical power and the co-generation of a thermal product. A new product line of fuel cells is emerging that operates at relatively high temperatures. Through support from the U.S. Department of Energy, two technologies are moving from concept to commercialization: molten carbonate fuel cells and solid oxide fuel cells. High-temperature fuel cell technology will likely become an integral strategy for central power production of electricity and transportation fuels.

The article discusses the efforts of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for making fuel cells a practical replacement for combustion. Fuel cells are electrochemical and can be designed to capture any harmful metals or gases produced. The DOE has created the Solid State Energy Conversion Alliance (SECA) which is a collaboration among government, the private sector, and the scientific community to pursue a vision of cost-effective, near-zero-emission solid oxide fuel cell technology.