This project is a field-test of a pollution-free energy system using solar power to make hydrogen, which then provides electricity via a fuel cell on cloudy days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A “standard” off-the-grid power system generally involves four things: 1. DC electricity production via photovoltaic array and\/ or wind generator. 2. Storage of surplus power in a Battery Bank. 3. An Inverter, to turn DC power into AC house current. 4. A back-up generator, usually gasoline-powered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Our system involves two modifications to this standard system: First, the fuel cell replaces the back-up generator. Second, hydrogen replaces (part of) the battery bank as the energy storage medium. We cannot eliminate the battery bank, but we can make it smaller.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While reducing the number of 120 lb batteries is a great boon, there is a price. The use of hydrogen requires additional hardware: An electrolyzer to convert DC power into H2, a tank in which to store H2, and a fuel cell to convert the H2 back into electric power. We encountered four major challenges: 1. Cost; 2. Some lack of maturity in fuel cell\/ electrolyzer technology; 3. A general lack of hydrogen field experience, which creates an information vacuum; 4. The inefficiencies of the electricity \u2192 hydrogen \u2192 electricity route the stored power must take.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, the project worked out very well. The actual installation is relatively straightforward, once you get past the lack of ready information. The electric part of the system is a standard off-the-grid set-up. The piping for the hydrogen is basically a plumbing system like any other, with of course its own particular flavor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The fuel cell performs two functions. It fills the role of back-up generator, and it is part of the hydrogen loop. By both eliminating a gasoline-powered generator and making our hydrogen with renewable energy, we achieve a carbon-neutral, zero pollution system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We also added systems for remote operation and monitoring (see System Schematic below). These are necessary given the inefficiencies of our hydrogen loop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This project is a field-test of a pollution-free energy system using solar power to make hydrogen, which then provides electricity via a fuel cell on cloudy days. A “standard” off-the-grid power system generally involves four things: 1. DC electricity production via photovoltaic array and\/ or wind generator. 2. Storage of surplus power in a Battery … <\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/web.siei.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/System-Schematic.gif\")
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