Hydrogen Fuel Cell&

Photovoltaics

Photovoltaics

PV Cell

Conversion Efficiency

PV Array Components

oPV CellsoModulesoArrays

PV System Components

Net Metering

Net Metering Participation

PV Array Fields

Source: Solarbuzz, a part of The NPD Group

• Clean• Sustainable• Free• Provide electricity to

remote places

Advantages of Solar Energy

Disadvantages of Solar Energy

•Less efficient and costly equipment

•Part Time•Reliability Depends On

Location•Environmental Impact of PV

Cell Production

Hydrogen Fuel Cells

The NEED Project: 30 Years of Energy Education

Trends in the Use of Fuel

Wood Coal O il NaturalGas

Hydrogen

Percentage of hydrogen content in fuel

19th century: steam engine

20th century: internal combustion engine

21st century: fuel cells

A varied range of organizations, from energy companies to automobile manufacturers, are working to develop fuel cells and the accompanying

infrastructure. A trend in the production of power is clearly visible:

The History of Fuel Cells

Electrolyser Grove’s Gas Battery(first fuel cell, 1839)(after Larminie and Dicks, 2000)

Bacon’s laboratory in 1955

Photo courtesy of University of Cambridge

NASA Space Shuttle fuel cellPhoto courtesy of NASA

Applications for Fuel Cells

Transportation vehicles

Photo courtesy of DaimlerChrysler

NECAR 5

Distributed power stations

Photo courtesy of Ballard Power Systems

250 kW distributed cogeneration power plant

Applications for Fuel Cells

Home power

Photo courtesy of Plug Power

7 kW home cogeneration power plant

Applications for Fuel Cells

Portable power

50 W portable fuel cell with metal hydride storage

Applications for Fuel Cells

The Science of Fuel Cells

Phosphoric Acid

(PAFC)

Alkaline(AFC)

Polymer Electrolyte Membrane

(PEMFC)

Direct Methanol

(DMFC)

Solid Oxide

(SOFC)

Molten Carbonate(MCFC)

Types of Fuel Cells

Polymer Electrolyte Membrane(PEMFC)

Direct Methanol(DMFC)

Solid Oxide(SOFC)

PEM Fuel Cell Electrochemical Reactions

Anode:

H2 2H+ + 2e- (oxidation)

Cathode:

1/2 O2 + 2e- + 2H+ H2O (l) (reduction)

Overall Reaction:

H2 + 1/2 02 H2O (l)

ΔH = - 285.8 kJ/mole

Hydrogen + Oxygen Electricity + Water

Water

A Simple PEM Fuel Cell

Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA)

O2

2H2O

4H+

Nafion

4e -

2

K

H2

O2

H2O

2H2 4H+

Nafion

4e -

O2

2H2O

4H+

Nafion

4e -

Nafion

H+

Catalysis

Transport

Resistance

Anode Cathode

Polymerelectrolyte

(i.e. Nafion)Carbon cloth Carbon cloth

Platinum-catalyst

Platinum-catalyst

Oxidation

Reduction

Polymer Electrolyte Membrane

(after Larminie and Dicks, 2000)

Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) chains

Sulphonic Acid

50-175 microns(2-7 sheets of paper)

Water collects around the clusters of hydrophylic sulphonate side chains

Hydrogen Storage

56 L

14 L

9.9 L

Liters to store 1 kg hydrogen

Compressed gas (200 bar)

Liquid hydrogen MgH2 metal hydride

Hydrogen: Energy Forever

Fuel tank Reformer

H2

Hydrogen bottles

H2

H2

Hydrogen bottles

H2

Algae

H2

Hydrogen bottles

H2

Solar panel Electrolyser

Renewable Energy Sources

As long as the sun shines, the wind blows, or the rivers flow, there can be clean, safe, and sustainable electrical power, where and

when required, with a solar hydrogen energy system

M icro hydro

Storage

H 2

Oxygen

Oxygen

WaterWater

FuelCellE lectro lyzer

Solar Cell

W ind

Benefits of Fuel Cells

Modular

Clean

Quiet

Sustainable

Efficient

Safe

The Benefits of Fuel Cells

Heliocentris: Science education through fuel cells 35

Our Fragile Planet.

We have the responsibility to mind the planet so that the extraordinary natural beauty of the Earth

is preserved for generations to come.

Photo courtesy of NASA