Environmental Technologies and Eco-innovation in the Czech ...

2.1 | Fuel cells and hydrogenous power engineering
Fuel cells are any electrochemical devices that produces electricity. They allow for
a more effective and flexible use of fuels, including natural gas, biogas, hydrogen and
methanol. They are supposed to be used mainly in transport and power engineering,
where they could replace classical combustion engines. Fuel cells can serve as standby
units in hospitals, army equipment and remote locations.
Being based on actual predictions, fuel cells using gas from gasified coal will play
a key role in power engineering in the future. The forecasts stem from these sources
being 60% more efficient and having only 10% of the emissions of currently used
technologies, plus the possibility of CO 2 capture and disposal in accordance with the
technologies being newly developed (see Chapter 2.5 – Technology for CO 2 capture and
storage). The development and implementation of this technology already exists in
the first quarter of the 21 st century. In the Czech Republic, fuel cells are being developed
and tested at universities. Examples include the Faculty of Electrical Engineering of
CTU, the Department of Inorganic Technology of the Institute of Chemical Technology
and elsewhere.
Changes to hydrogen power engineering, which could help resolve the problem
with the storage of electricity and heat, is being studied intensively. However, today
it is just a vision, not a commercially available solution.
2.2 | Electricity generation from renewable energy sources
One of the first indicative obligations of the Czech Republic in the Treaty of Accession
to the EU of 2004 was to specify a share of electricity generation from renewable energy
sources in the total gross consumption of the Czech Republic at an amount of 8% by
2010. At the end of 2007, this proportion was 4.74%. It is evident that the Czech
Republic focuses its attention and support on RES. The main reason for supporting
energy generation from RES is its significance for reaching the sustainable development
of energy. Table No. 2 shows a summary of electricity generation from RES.
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