به حداقل رساندن هزینه،نه، به حداکثر رساندن ارزش افزوده،آری

Fuel cells are on the verge of market entry aiming at replacing long established conventional electricity generation and propulsion technologies. Upon entrance to the first markets the necessarily higher costs will need to be offset by added value to the consumer. Examples, discussed here, indicate that generally speaking the highest additional cost margins will be achievable through lifestyle oriented issues, recreational applications and from remote power. Fuel cell's potential environmental superiority results in a high acceptance in public opinion, but, needs to be clearly proven in all aspects from fuel supply to operation and recycling. Only if the added value and environmental performance are convincingly displayed will fuel cells be able to claim a substantial part of their potential market.

Fuel cells constitute an energy conversion technology that has the potential for achieving a considerable increase in energy efficiency in many areas of energy utilisation over the next decades. They introduce a novel approach to electric power production freeing energy conversion from the, up to today, limiting Carnot efficiency. On the other hand, fuel cells—being a ‘non-established’ technology—cannot draw from the 250-year history of steam, internal combustion motor and power station development, including all the improvements and optimisation exercises this history has brought about. The pending market entry of fuel cells is thus a struggle of a new and somewhat unproven technology to replace a well established, cost-effective adversary of long standing. This calls for a solid motivation of the market partners.

Fuel cells constitute a technology on the verge of market entry and aiming at replacing long established conventional processes. Upon entry into the first markets the necessarily higher costs need to be offset by the ‘added value’ consumers allocate to fuel cell products. The highest additional marginal costs will be achievable from lifestyle oriented issues including recreational applications and remote power. Also some market potential can also be expected from environmentally oriented clientele. In this case the environmental aspects are of supreme importance and environmental superiority needs to be clearly proven, including all aspects from fuel supply to operation and recycling. Only if this performance is convincing will fuel cells be able to claim a substantial part of their potential market. Due to the relatively ‘abstract’ nature of the environmental benefits, government regulation, for instance on the efficiency of overall electricity power generation and/or emission levels, will be helpful in market introduction of fuel cells for stationary applications.