Advice provided by: Claire Moloney, LEED Green Associate, Cornell University

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Organizations, corporations and consumers continue to look for look for energy efficient solutions that will reduce both harmful emissions and America's reliance on fuel. One such solution is fuel cell technology, which can enable more efficient conversion of fuel to energy and fewer emissions than traditional approaches to electric power generation and heat production.

California's New Standards for Electric and Fuel Cell Vehicles

According to Forbes, California regulators recently voted to mandate that 15% of all vehicles sold must be electric, plug-in hybrid and hydrogen fuel cell by 2025.

This would greatly increase the number of alternative fuel and fuel cell vehicles on the road in California - potentially to 1.4 million. This initiative would reduce the state’s tailpipe emissions by 75%.

Since 10 other states follow California’s auto-emissions mandates, its possible that they would adopt this mandate as well. This would greatly stimulate investment in electric and fuel cell vehicle technologies.

Fuel Cell Technology in the Military

The state of California is not the only entity encouraging the adoption of fuel cells – the military is also potentially looking to use fuel cell technology.

In an October 2011 study, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), the country’s largest energy consumer, recommended the acquisition and evaluation of fuel cell use for power generation in its facilities and unmanned vehicles.

The DoD cited successful fuel cell implementation at a number of private-sector corporations, including Google, Whole Foods and Toyota, as evidence of its potential for the military.

In addition, the report said private contractors are developing fuel cell-powered unmanned vehicles for the military. For example, one aircraft developed for the Navy was capable of running for 30 days on fuel cell technology without refueling.

Fuel Cells and Green Jobs

Fuel cells have a number of applications, including power generation for homes, offices and vehicles. A study this summer from Fuel Cells 2000 reported that stationary and mobile fuel cells are gaining influence across the country. California, for instance, plans to have 20 public hydrogen fueling stations, which can power hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, in place by the end of 2011.

The growing market could create more renewable energy jobs for fuel cell and alternative fuel vehicle technicians and engineers, as that same report showed companies are building new manufacturing facilities and increasing their workforce by the hundreds.

Professionals interested in a career in fuel cell technology or alternative fuel vehicles could receive professional training at community colleges, universities and nonprofit organizations around the country. Fuel Cells 2000 has a helpful list of technical training and continuing education courses for prospective and current workers in the fuel cell technology field.

The U.S. Department of Energy also lists a number of national and regional organizations that offer education for workers who want to enter the alternative fuel vehicle sector. West Virginia University's National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium (NAFTC), for example, provides training for those looking to work with fuel cell vehicles.

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