Increasing concern for the environment coupled with dwindling fossil-fuel reserves (used to generate more than 85% of worldwide electricity consumption), and the subsequent price hike, have galvanised engineers, researchers and political organisations all over the globe into seeking new devices that produce clean energy. One of the most promising alternative methods, especially for portable and mobile applications and for the automotive and cogeneration sectors is proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells.

LIFTEC began studying this technology in 2002 when the CSIC (Spanish Scientific Research Council) created the Fuel Cell and Advanced Battery Network. The research LIFTEC conducts in this area focuses on both scientific and technological aspects by developing PEM fuel cells with a variety of powers that can be installed in several applications.