Fuel Cells and Ethanol: a Technological Advantage 2003-01-3623

A new technological concept of electric energy generation appeared in the last years. The concept of energy generation via “fuel cell” is becoming more and more important for energetic planning, due to its sole characteristics. This paper aims to relate and discuss the energetic fuel cell using ethanol, directly or indirectly, as a renewable fuel and show its importance and advantages within the field of alternative energies. The advantages of utilizing ethanol are very big. However for the commercial utilization, in both cases, of these technologies, it is necessary to implement a lot of work on R&D&I. In the short range period, the catalytic reform seems to be the best technological option. It is point out the importance of this alternative to be considered by the Brazilian Government, which would allow our sustainable entry for the so called “Hydrogen Economy”.