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Partnering with the Electric Power Research Institute, Alliant Energy is actively involved in researching the viability of fuel cell technology. |
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Taking advantage of chemical reactions to generate electricity cleanly, fuel cells are environmentally friendly and highly efficient. This technology could be deployed in a wide range of applications, including residential, commercial and industrial settings. Should the technology eventually become commercially viable, the growth in fuel cell use could bring changes equal in magnitude to those resulting from the development of the internal combustion engine. |
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In October 2004, Alliant Energy Resources, Inc., the non-regulated subsidiary of Alliant Energy, donated a small, 500-watt fuel cell to the Iowa Renewable Energy Association (I-RENEW). Alliant Energy purchased the fuel cell in 2001 to analyze its effectiveness as an emerging power source. The fuel cell is retrofitted with an ultra capacitor, making it more practical as an instantaneous source of electricity in the event of a power failure. Traditionally, fuel cells take a few minutes to convert hydrogen into electricity, making it impractical in some applications.
Learn more about fuel cell technology: |
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