UNU-MERIT Working Papers Series
Explaining the lack of dynamics in the diffusion of small stationary fuel cells
Bert Droste-Franke, Jörg Krüger, Stephan Lingner & Thomas Ziesemer #2009-043Using the reaction of hydrogen with oxygen to water in order to produce
electricity and heat, promises a high electrical efficiency even in
small devices which can be installed close to the consumer. This
approach seems to be an impressive idea to contribute to a viable future
energy supply under the restrictions of climate change policy. Major
reasons currently hampering the diffusion of such technologies for house
energy supply in Germany are analysed in this paper. The barriers
revealed, include high production costs as well as economic and legal
obstacles for installing the devices so that they can be operated in
competition to central power plants, beside others in tenancies.
Keywords: fuel cell; diffusion process; valuation of environmental
effects; technological innovation
JEL classifications: K12,O33,Q51,Q55
UNU-MERIT Working Papers
ISSN 1871-9872
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