Naslov
Regenerative Fuel Cells as Energy Storage: Efficiency and Weight Trade-offs

Autori
Barbir, Frano ; Molter, Trent ; Dalton, Luke

Izvornik
IEEE Aerospace and Electronic Systems Magazine (0885-8985) 23 (2005), 3; 35-40

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, članak, znanstveni

Ključne riječi
regenerative fuel cell; reversible fuel cell; electrolyzer; efficiency;

Sažetak
In optimizing regenerative fuel cell systems for a given application, the operating efficiency of both the fuel cell and electrolyzer may be traded against the stack mass. Both efficiency and mass are important characteristics for energy storage, particularly for aerospace applications. This paper reports the results of a trade-off study conducted to optimize the design of regenerative fuel cell systems used in conjunction with a PV array. The results suggest that high efficiency does not necessarily provide the highest specific energy, and that the highest specific energy of the energy storage subsystem does not result in the lowest mass of the entire power system. Optimum cell voltage (in both fuel cell and eleetrolyzer modes) strongly depends on the duty cycle of the system, i.e., duration of charging and discharging and capacity factor in charging and discharging, as well as the fuel cell and electrolyzer polarization curves and hydrogen and oxygen storage characteristics.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Strojarstvo, Zrakoplovstvo, raketna i svemirska tehnika

POVEZANOST RADA