Hydrogen Storage and Fuel Cell Power System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sustainable energy solutions face challenges in effectively storing energy produced at one time for use at another time, with existing storage methods like batteries being expensive, environmentally undesirable, and having limited operational life, and other methods like compressed air or water movement being inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A system that generates hydrogen gas from water using an electrolyzer, stores it, and then converts it back into electrical power using a fuel cell, with a controller adapting the power output based on system parameters, allowing for efficient and environmentally responsible energy storage and use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If batteries are used to store energy, then energy storage capability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases and environmental impact worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the energy storage function from chemical batteries and implements it through physical hydrogen storage. Hydrogen is produced via electrolysis of water, stored in tanks, and converted back to electricity through fuel cells, eliminating the need for expensive battery manufacturing while maintaining energy storage capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses water as a renewable feedstock for hydrogen production through electrolysis. Water is abundant, inexpensive, and continuously replenished, replacing expensive batteries that degrade over time. The hydrogen storage tanks and fuel cells can be replaced or refilled as needed without the degradation issues of chemical batteries.
2Quantity of substance
If batteries are used to store energy, then energy storage capability is improved, but operational life deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables continuous operation by producing hydrogen through electrolysis during periods of excess energy availability and converting it back to electricity through fuel cells when energy is needed. This continuous cycle of production, storage, and conversion eliminates the degradation and finite lifespan limitations of chemical batteries.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the state of energy storage from chemical (batteries) to physical (hydrogen gas in tanks). Hydrogen can be stored at high pressure or as liquid hydrogen, providing stable long-term storage without the chemical degradation that limits battery operational life to 8-10 years.
3Quantity of substance
If compressed air is used to store energy, then energy storage capability is improved, but efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses phase transitions of water (liquid to gas during electrolysis, gas to liquid during condensation in fuel cells) to enable efficient energy storage and conversion. The electrolysis process splits water into hydrogen and oxygen, which are then stored and recombined in fuel cells to generate electricity with high efficiency, avoiding the energy losses associated with compressed air storage.
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
The system provides a modular, scalable, and sustainable energy solution that is self-sufficient, reduces carbon emissions, and can operate independently of external power grids, offering efficient energy storage and generation with minimal environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
an electrolyzer generates a stream of hydrogen gas from water supplied by a water source and using power from an input power source
Implementation Method 2
A fuel cell subsequently converts the stream of hydrogen gas from the tank into output electrical power by combining the hydrogen with oxygen
Data Source
AI summary
Method and apparatus for generating green electrical power. During a hydrogen gas storage mode, an electrolyzer generates a stream of hydrogen gas from water supplied by a water source and using power from an input power source. A hydrogen tank temporarily stores the stream of hydrogen. During a power generation mode, a fuel cell converts the stream of hydrogen gas from the tank into output electrical power by combining the hydrogen with oxygen. An inverter conditions and supplies the electrical power to a local load. A controller circuit uses a system parameter to adaptively switch between the storage mode and the power generation mode. In some cases, external power is supplied during the generation and storage of the hydrogen gas from an electrical grid or a local renewable source such as a set of solar panels. Respective grid-tied, solar-tied, grid-only, off-grid, and electric vehicle charging configurations are provided.