Distributed Renewable Energy Hydrogen Systems

Systems based on renewable energy (RE) sources with medium-term hydrogen (H2) energy storage have the potential to play an important role in various power applications. RE/H2-systems are well suited for high-cost applications, such as remote telecommunica tion stations and uninterrupted power supply (UPS). However, there exists limited knowledge on how to integrate RE-systems with hydrogen energy technology components, such as electrolyzer, hydrogen storage, and fuel cell. The main objective with the pro ject is to increase the overall system efficiency of distributed integrated RE/H2 energy storage systems based on proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzer and fuel cell (FC) technology. In order to achieve this goal, two thematic research areas are emp hasized. The first area is on the electrical system and the second is on the thermal management of the hydrogen system. New innovative designs for PEM-electrolyzer balance of plant (BOP) and more advanced controls for distributed RE/H2-based systems will be developed. The results are expected to benefit future commercialization of RE/H2-systems. The project will be based on existing renewable energy based hydrogen systems laboratories at Institute for Energy Technology (IFE) and National Institute of Adv anced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) in Japan. The laboratory at IFE will be upgraded with state of the art PV and PEM electrolyzer technology. The project will increase the Norwegian industrial partners know-how and competitiveness in the area of RE/H2-systems, and prepare and position these partners in the coming international hydrogen market. Finally, this project will strengthen IFEs relation and cooperation with Energy Technology Research Institute (ETRI) at the National Institute of Advan ced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) in Tsukuba, Japan. This project is invaluable for the collaboration between IFE and AIST.