Electricity Available from Intermittent Sources

Renewable Energy NewsFRIDAY 27 NOVEMBER, 2009 | |
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Harvesting Hydrogen With Solar Power

by Energy Matters


Using hydrogen as a clean fuel with relatively endless reserves certainly has potential, but also faces many challenges. For example, the production of hydrogen requires a great deal of energy.

However, some companies have made great inroads in utilising renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power in the hydrogen harvesting process. One such company is Avālence LLC; based in the USA.

Avālence’s hydrogen generators are electrochemical devices that convert water and electricity into high purity pressurized hydrogen gas through the process of electrolysis. Avālence's Hydrofiller system is a high-pressure hydrogen gas generator that doesn't require a separate compressor. According to the company, this cuts capital costs by up to 50% and operating costs by 20%.

Given the lower energy requirements, it also means the Hydrofiller system can be powered by solar panels or wind turbines.

The company says electrolysis is the most direct method for creating hydrogen fuel from fluctuating renewable energy sources. The Avālence Hydrofiller enables 24-hour electricity availability from intermittent energy sources from not just solar and wind, but also hydraulic and tidal power. In large applications, hydrogen produced during inexpensive or excess power production periods can be stored and later distributed to stationary fuel cell generators to supply electricity during expensive or peak demand periods.

Technology validation of the Hydrofiller has been completed on small-scale units for residential use and extensive factory testing using renewable energy has also been completed. The units are now being field tested and the company is presently undertaking a major scale-up of the core technology to a 300 kg/day design.