Big success for ISRO: Energy generated in space using emission free technology

‘Fuel cell’ technology successfully tested onboard ‘PSLV-C58’

Bangalore (Karnataka) – On 1st January, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched the PSLV-C58 into space. In a test conducted onboard PSLV-C58, ISRO was able to generate energy without any emissions. The technology is called ‘Fuel Cell’. Interestingly, pure drinking water was produced as a by-product during this energy generation process. This can be useful for humans on space missions. This is a big success for ISRO. This will also benefit India’s ‘Gaganyaan’ programme, which is a manned space mission.

ISRO has successfully tested a ‘power system’ (energy system) based on the technology ‘Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell’ with a range of 100 Watts in space. During this test, 180 watts of energy was generated in a high-pressure vessel with the help of hydrogen and oxygen gases. Pure drinking water was also generated through this process while causing no pollution. ‘Fuel cell’ technology is an electric generator, which works on the ‘electrochemical’ principle.

Fuel cells can be used in automobiles as well

Considering the benefits of ‘Fuel Cell’ technology, it is now being considered to use this technology in place of automobile batteries. Not only can it recharge conventional engines faster, but it can also control the pollution caused by the process of energy generation.