Abstract
The purpose of this report is to have a general view of the present status on research, development and demonstration of fuel cells in addition to their principle and characteristics. Among a few kinds of fuel cells, PAFC has almost reached at the semi-commercial stage, and large efforts have now been given for realizing the PAFC as cogeneration plant using the biogas from garbage and beer brewery process. MCFC is on the way of the demonstration stage with a large scale system under the ledership of NEDO and MITI in Japan. With respect to SOFC several organizations have been taking part in its research and development projects for the purpose of developing super-high efficient power system. PEFC is becoming more and more attractive in expectation of being especially realized as fuel cell propulsion system for electric vehicles and also as residential co-generation devices. A large number of companies have recently entered into the fields related to PEFC system development including fuel delivery infrastructure.
