Floating Solar Electrolysis for Local Hydrogen Refueling
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Solution Overview
Problem
The lack of a suitable refueling infrastructure for hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles has hindered their mainstream adoption, as automakers and trucking companies are reluctant to produce vehicles without sufficient refueling stations, and energy suppliers are hesitant to build stations due to low vehicle demand, creating a 'chicken and egg' problem.
Innovation Solution
A hydrogen refueling station powered by floating solar arrays deployed on non-navigable bodies of water, such as gravel pits and quarry lakes, which utilize electrolysis to generate green hydrogen, addressing the infrastructure challenge by producing hydrogen locally and reducing transportation costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If hydrogen refueling stations are built to support fuel-cell vehicles, then vehicle adoption can increase, but infrastructure costs and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines solar panel arrays with refueling station infrastructure into an integrated system. The solar panels are mounted on the same structure as the refueling station, allowing the system to generate its own electricity for hydrogen production while providing refueling services. This merging reduces overall infrastructure complexity and costs by consolidating multiple functions into a single location.
Solution Approach 2:
The refueling station is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides hydrogen refueling for vehicles, generates electricity through solar panels, and potentially stores energy for later use. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate infrastructure components and lowers the overall barrier to deployment.
2Use of energy by moving object
If solar panels are mounted on ground to generate electricity for electrolysis, then energy production increases, but land availability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of mounting solar panels on the ground (horizontal surface), the patent mounts them on vertical structures as part of the refueling station. This vertical mounting approach utilizes the vertical dimension rather than consuming horizontal land area, allowing electricity generation without sacrificing valuable land resources.
3Productivity
If solar panels are placed over water bodies, then energy generation efficiency increases due to cooling, but installation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the solar panel mounting structure with the refueling station infrastructure. By integrating the solar panels into the existing station structure rather than creating a separate floating platform system, the design captures the cooling benefits of water proximity while avoiding the complex engineering required for standalone floating solar installations.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enables the generation of green hydrogen at a low cost, reducing the cost of hydrogen for fuel cells and facilitating the scaling up of zero-emissions transportation, ultimately contributing to the decarbonization of the energy sector.
Implementation Method 1
The electrolysis plant is powered by a renewable-energy generator. In the preferred embodiment, the renewable-energy generator is a solar-cell array
Implementation Method 2
The electrolysis plant is for converting water to molecular hydrogen and molecular oxygen
Data Source
AI summary
The present application discloses a uniquely-sited electrolysis plant for converting water to molecular hydrogen and molecular oxygen. The electrolysis plant is powered by a renewable-energy generator. In the preferred embodiment, the renewable-energy generator is a solar-cell array, preferably perovskite-enhanced solar panels, and is located in or on a non-navigable body of water or a non-navigable portion of a body of water. The electrolysis plant supplies hydrogen to a nearby transportation refueling station and/or to a nearby industrial or commercial facility. In an embodiment of the invention, the renewable-energy generator is a wind turbine used instead of solar power to power the electrolysis plant.