Hydrogen Fuel Cell Research
in Sarasota County

Hydrogen fuel cells are an emerging technology that many believe represent the future of our global energy economy. Sarasota County is working with community partners to pilot hydrogen energy projects.

The first hydrogen fuel cell was installed at the North Port High School on April 8, 2004. North Port High is the first school in the nation to combine hydrogen energy education with an on-site fuel cell demonstration. The U.S. Department of Energy designated North Port as one of only 10 Hydrogen Education sites nationwide. Sarasota County partnered with Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida Power and Light and Plugg Power to provide the hydrogen fuel cell.
 

Sustainable Sarasota is exploring other opportunities to pilot safe, clean hydrogen energy in our community.

What is a hydrogen energy?

Hydrogen fuel cells create electricity by combining hydrogen and oxygen, with the only emissions being water and hear. The fuel cell is a clean and pollution-free technology. However, the process of extracting hydrogen for use as a fuel, depending on how it is done, can produce minimal emissions.

Fuel of the Future: A prototype of the
hydrogen fuel cell vehicle.

The most common method of deriving hydrogen uses natural gas and a steam reforming process which produce carbon emissions. Yet hydrogen can also be created by electrically splitting the water molecule using solar, wind or hydro energy.

Despite complex technology, hydrogen fuel cells are 20 to 30 percent more efficient than fossil fuel power. Hydrogen also provides an ideal form to store energy that can easily be converted to electricity. Unlike our crude oil reserves, which are estimated to last only for another 40 years at best, hydrogen is one of the most abundant elements on the planet

"As community leaders, we have the responsibility and the opportunity to wisely meet the challenge of dependence on non-renewable energy sources by exploring the new frontier of sustainable energy," stated Sarasota County Commissioner Shannon Staub. "Through this partnership, we will work together toward the goal of creating a sustainable Sarasota County for future generations."

For more information on hydrogen energy, please see:
U.S. Department of Energy: Hydrogen
E-Magazine: The Hydrogen Economy
Energy Management in Sarasota County