For awhile here at the Alternative Energy Group, we have pondered the question of how to go about constructing a fuel cell supply chain. Many apparent difficulties emerged the more the topic was researched. For example, how can you create a supply chain for an industry as fast-moving and as high-tech as the fuel cell industry? Older technologies are being replaced by new technologies everyday. How can a business hope to establish a secure supply chain when the requirements can change in the blink of an eye?

Our solution was the creation of the Fuel Cell Hierarchy (FCH). The FCH is an organized map of the fuel cell industry. By placing the various components of a fuel cell within the hierarchy, we were able to visually present the most important parts of the fuel cell supply chain. With the hierarchy, a business is quickly able to tell prospective buyers of their product by seeing where their product is used within the fuel cell. Businesses can also easily and efficiently locate suppliers for their ever-changing needs.

Click here to view a sample of the FCH.