Abstract An electrolyzer/fuel cell energy storage system is a promising alternative to batteries for storing energy from solar electric power systems. Such a system was designed, including a proton-exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzer, high-pressure hydrogen and oxygen storage, and a PEM fuel cell. The system operates in a closed water loop. A prototype system was constructed, including an experimental PEM electrolyzer and combined gas/water storage tanks. Testing goals included general system feasibility, characterization of the electrolyzer performance (target was sustainable 1.0 A/cm2 at 2.0 V per cell), performance of the electrolyzer as a compressor, and evaluation of the system for direct-coupled use with a PV array. When integrated with a photovoltaic array, this type of system is expected to provide reliable, environmentally benign power to remote installations. If grid-coupled, this system (without PV array) would provide high-quality backup power to critical systems such as telecommunications and medical facilities.
[1]
F. R. Foulkes,et al.
Fuel Cell Handbook
,
1989
.
[2]
James F. McElroy,et al.
Recent advances in SPE® water electrolyzer
,
1994
.
[3]
O. J. Murphy,et al.
PEM Energy Storage for Solar Aircraft
,
1999
.
[4]
W Ogana,et al.
Contribution of Working Group 1 to the Third Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
,
2001
.
[5]
T. Hayashi,et al.
Mobile solar energy hydrogen generating system
,
1986
.