Hydrogen Based Autonomous Power Systems

“Hydrogen-based Autonomous Power Systems” analyses the introduction of hydrogen energy technologies in autonomous power systems based on renewable energy sources (RES). The book contains a review of hydrogen technologies suitable for RES-based autonomous power systems, presents already-existing demonstration hydrogen-based power systems, and provides concrete examples for the integration of hydrogen technologies into existing autonomous power systems. Technical and economic analyses of hydrogen-based power systems are included, with illustrations and graphs, which are a useful tool for conducting pre-feasibility analyses of such power systems. The book is a valuable resource for researchers and students in the fields of hydrogen energy technologies, renewable energy power systems, and distributed generation.

Science and Engineering of Hydrogen-Based Energy Technologies explores the generation of energy using hydrogen and hydrogen-rich fuels in fuel cells from the perspective of its integration into renewable energy systems using the most sound and current scientific knowledge. The book first examines the evolution of energy utilization and the role expected to be played by hydrogen energy technologies in the world’s energy mix, not just for energy generation, but also for carbon capture, storage and utilization. It provides a general overview of the most common and promising types of fuel cells, such as PEMFCs, SOFCs and direct alcohol fuel cells. The co-production of chemical and electrolysis cells, as well as the available and future materials for fuel cells production are discussed. It then delves into the production of hydrogen from biomass, including waste materials, and from excess electricity produced by other renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, hydro and geothermal. The main technological approaches to hydrogen storage are presented, along with several possible hydrogen energy engineering applications. Science and Engineering of Hydrogen-Based Energy Technologies’s unique approach to hydrogen energy systems makes it useful for energy engineering researchers, professionals and graduate students in this field. Policy makers, energy planning and management professionals, and energy analysts can also benefit from the comprehensive overview that it provides. Presents engineering fundamentals, commercially deployed technologies, up-and-coming developments and applications through a systemic approach Explores the integration of hydrogen technologies in renewable energy systems, including solar, wind, bioenergy and ocean energy Covers engineering standards, guidelines and regulations, as well as policy and social aspects for large-scale deployment of these technologies

Portable Hydrogen Energy Systems: Fuel Cells and Storage Fundamentals and Applications covers the basics of portable fuel cells, their types, possibilities for fuel storage, in particular for hydrogen as fuel, and their potential application. The book explores electrochemistry, types, and materials and components, but also includes a chapter on the particularities of their use in portable devices, with a focus on proton exchange membrane (PEM) type. Topics cover fuel storage for these cells, in particular hydrogen storage and an analysis of current possibilities. In addition, portable fuel cell systems are examined, covering auxiliary elements required for operation and possibilities for their miniaturization. Engineers and developers of portable applications and electricity will find this book to provide fundamental information on the possibilities of portable hydrogen fuel cells, including costs and market information, for their planning, modeling, development and deployment. Graduate students and lecturers will find this to be a complementary resource in general hydrogen and fuel cell courses or in specialized courses covering portable systems. Presents a current view of the fundamentals and possibilities of portable hydrogen fuel cells, also comparing them with other market solutions, such as batteries Examines the applications where portable hydrogen fuel cell technology is a viable solution Explores future trends and needs in terms of materials, components and systems to improve the possibilities to make hydrogen fuel cells competitive and reliable for future portable applications

This book describes the challenges and solutions the energy sector faces by shifting towards a hydrogen based fuel economy. The most current and up-to-date efforts of countries and leaders in the automotive sector are reviewed as they strive to develop technology and find solutions to production, storage, and distribution challenges. Hydrogen fuel is a zero-emission fuel when burned with oxygen and is often used with electrochemical cells, or combustion in internal engines, to power vehicles and electric devices. This book offers unique solutions to integrating renewable sources of energy like wind or solar power into the production of hydrogen fuel, making it a cost effective, efficient and truly renewable alternative fuel.

How hydrogen—nonpolluting and easy to produce—could become the fuel of the future. Hydrogen is the quintessential eco-fuel. This invisible, tasteless gas is the most abundant element in the universe. It is the basic building block and fuel of stars and an essential raw material in innumerable biological and chemical processes. As a completely nonpolluting fuel, it may hold the answer to growing environmental concerns about atmospheric accumulation of carbon dioxide and the resultant Greenhouse Effect. In this book Peter Hoffmann describes current research toward a hydrogen-based economy. He presents the history of hydrogen energy and discusses the environmental dangers of continued dependence on fossil fuels. Hydrogen is not an energy source but a carrier that, like electricity, must be manufactured. Today hydrogen is manufactured by "decarbonizing" fossil fuels. In the future it will be derived from water and solar energy and perhaps from "cleaner" versions of nuclear energy. Because it can be made by a variety of methods, Hoffmann argues, it can be easily adapted by different countries and economies. Hoffmann acknowledges the social, political, and economic difficulties in replacing current energy systems with an entirely new one. Although the process of converting to a hydrogen-based economy would be complex, he demonstrates that the environmental and health benefits would far outweigh the costs.

It is just a matter of time when fossil fuels will become unavailable or uneconomical to retrieve. On top of that, their environmental impact is already too severe. Renewable energy sources can be considered as the most important substitute to fossil energy, since they are inexhaustible and have a very low, if none, impact on the environment. Still, their unevenness and unpredictability are drawbacks that must be dealt with in order to guarantee a reliable and steady energy supply to the final user. Hydrogen can be the answer to these problems. This book presents the readers with the modeling, functioning and implementation of solar hydrogen energy systems, which efficiently combine different technologies to convert, store and use renewable energy. Sources like solar photovoltaic or wind, technologies like electrolysis, fuel cells, traditional and advanced hydrogen storage are discussed and evaluated together with system management and output performance. Examples are also given to show how these systems are capable of providing energy independence from fossil fuels in real life settings.

The fields covered by the hydrogen energy topic have grown rapidly, and now it has become clearly multidisciplinary. In addition to production, hydrogen purification and especially storage are key challenges that could limit the use of hydrogen fuel. In this book, the purification of hydrogen with membrane technology and its storage in "solid" form using new hydrides and carbon materials are addressed. Other novelties of this volume include the power conditioning of water electrolyzers, the integration in the electric grid of renewable hydrogen systems and the future role of microreactors and micro-process engineering in hydrogen technology as well as the potential of computational fluid dynamics to hydrogen equipment design and the assessment of safety issues. Finally, and being aware that transportation will likely constitute the first commercial application of hydrogen fuel, two chapters are devoted to the recent advances in hydrogen fuel cells and hydrogen-fueled internal combustion engines for transport vehicles. Hydrogen from water and biomass considered Holistic approach to the topic of renewable hydrogen production Power conditioning of water electrolyzers and integration of renewable hydrogen energy systems considered Subjects not included in previous books on hydrogen energy Micro process technology considered Subject not included in previous books on hydrogen energy Applications of CFD considered Subject not included in previous books on hydrogen energy Fundamental aspects will not be discussed in detail consciously as they are suitably addressed in previous books Emphasis on technological advancements Chapters written by recognized experts Up-to date approach to the subjects and relevant bibliographic references