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For Early Adopters

Many people consider hydrogen and fuel cells to be longer-term technologies, but they're beginning to enter the market now in certain applications. Potential "early adopters" can learn more about hydrogen and fuel cells today to better understand near-term opportunities and consider and prepare for using these technologies in the future. Some of the following documents are available as Adobe Acrobat PDFs. Download Adobe Reader.

More Basics?

Visit our Increase Your H2IQ page for more basic information about hydrogen and fuel cell technologies.

The Basics: Fact Sheets

  • Early Markets: Emergency Back-up Power (PDF 521 KB) This fact sheet provides information useful to potential users of fuel cells for emergency backup power

  • Early Markets: Material Handling Equipment (PDF 694 KB) This fact sheet provides useful information to potential handlers of material equipment

Early Markets for Fuel Cell Technology

Battelle Memorial Institute conducted a study to identify and evaluate potential early markets for direct hydrogen polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells titled "Identification and Characterization of Near-Term Direct Hydrogen Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Markets" (PDF 3.87 MB), April 2007. The study focuses on power supplies for forklifts and backup power for telecommunications and emergency response radio towers.

Available Products

Want to know what hydrogen and fuel cell products are commercially available? Check out the U.S. Fuel Cell Council's product listing (PDF 105 KB).

Information for Fleet Owners and Operators

The National Hydrogen Association assembled a series of modules for fleet owners and operators interested in hydrogen equipment and vehicles. These modules focus on hydrogen basics; hydrogen production, distribution, and delivery; vehicle operations and maintenance facilities; hydrogen powertrains and vehicles; prototype light-duty hydrogen vehicles; prototype hydrogen transit vehicles; specialty hydrogen vehicles; and hydrogen life-cycle costs and training.