Hy-Power is designed to be a logistics-free backup power solution, powered by renewables, that eliminates the need for on-site refuelling and maintenance visits, normally required for traditional power solutions.
Hy-Power completely removes the logistic issues relating to using fossil fuel-based generators in remote locations. The AEM electrolysers produce clean and dry hydrogen, directly compressed to 35 Bar and combines the benefits of cost-efficient alkaline electrolysis with those of the flexible (polymer electrolyte membrane) PEM. With a capacity of up to 10m3 litres of hydrogen per hour, the rack mountable Electrolysers are ideally suited for on-site hydrogen generation to store surplus energy for power applications.
With Hydrogen Fuel Cell power output options ranging from 1kW to 20kW per cabinet, the Hy-Power is the ideal Long-Term energy Storage strategy for any off-grid or micro grid application. The Hy-Power requires no air conditioning, can be deployed in outdoor IP55 cabinets and is pre-installed with SDEMS, an AI based control system, which manages and optimizes energy production, energy storage and loads.
There are basically three working modes:
when the grid is available, the SRFC generates and stores hydrogen converting the electricity from the grid and using the water (this can be rain or tap water)
when there is a power outage, SRFC generates power converting the stored hydrogen into power needed to meet the load and as a byproduct also producing water
when the grid is available, the SRFC generates and stores hydrogen converting the electricity from the grid and using the water (this can be rain or tap water)
Hy-Power is effectively an alternative to any current diesel generator applications used for backup power. A comparison between running a SRFC against any ‘fuel’ based system is simple. Once I have time to replace the hydrogen used, the system will always be operating and will never run out of fuel. Autonomy, for any single outage is dependent on the size of the storage vessel being used.
Renewable Energy + Hydrogen Technology enables decoupling from the fixed wire network. This way we can both keep pace with growing demand and eliminate fossil fuels to arrest climate change. Renewable generation and in particular “cents for the watt” solar PV costs has allowed is to take the first step. For countries such as the Indonesia Archipelago, generation is now potentially available everywhere, through the introduction of a microgrid.
However, current off-grid/microgrid solutions are predominantly based on batteries and diesel generators, where batteries are used to store the interim energy generated by renewables such as PV and diesel generators are pretty much mandatory, to provide backup or autonomy due to the general availability and unpredictability of renewables. The missing pieces are:
On-Site Hydrogen production, Hydrogen Storage and Power
by using energy from renewables
Renewable energy is ‘variable’ as a primary source of power, with no power when you need it, or too much at the wrong time. As a result, Solar PV systems are typically sized for the worst season of the year. Batteries may be efficient at storing energy, but the real issue is the cost and efficiency of charging these, while at the same time providing the autonomy needed.
At MBR, we alleviate these common issues faced by microgrids by providing Hydrogen based Renewable Energy Storage systems (SRFC) that operate on renewables, such as PV solar + control electronics + hydrogen storage.
Overall, the main design objectives are to:
Introducing hydrogen to microgrids solves the problem of seasonal or long-term storage that batteries cannot provide. It is the crucial jigsaw piece for 100% green microgrids. A typical microgrid is often oversized with an average of 30% excess solar being lost as it cannot be stored for a time when needed.
When excess renewable energy is available in a hydrogen microgrid, it maximises the use of renewable sources producing electricity through water electrolysis. The excess from renewables is transformed to hydrogen via electrolysis, with any excess hydrogen stored and used during periods of low supply and high demand. While batteries are great at load shifting, they cannot provide for efficient long-term storage. Here hydrogen is the perfect partner as it can be stored with a very high energy density and low carbon footprint – a major advantage when land availability is restricted. With the help of a fuel cell, the stored hydrogen produces electricity when needed. The hydrogen system is equivalent to a backup generator that complements the battery setup and offers total energy independence. Seasonal storage of green hydrogen also accommodates yearly cycles in electricity demand and variable solar or wind. Hydrogen storage is therefore an instrumental part of a smart power system, stabilizing the microgrid and ensuring full energy independence from renewables. It replaces the need for a diesel generator altogether.
In summary
In addition, a significant operating expense (OpEx) of a microgrid is the maintenance requirement of Diesel generators. Frequent oil changes, air, oil, and fuel filter maintenance, cooling system, belt maintenance, and maintaining the condition of the starting battery add significantly to site operational expense. Added to this, fuel logistics, theft, and the replacement of ‘stale’ fuel result in a significant ongoing cost for microgrids. Diesel generators for microgrid applications are usually over dimensioned because larger generators have higher reliability, are more difficult to steal, and can accommodate higher inrush currents. Peak efficiency of these Diesel generators often exceeds 20%, but efficiency quickly drops to less than 10% at power levels below rated output. Therefore, in most microgrid applications other than battery charging, the Diesel generator will spend a large portion of time operating at low efficiency.
Batteries | Diesel | Hydrogen | |
|---|---|---|---|
Energy Density | 0.05 kWh/kg | 13 kWh/kg | 33.3 kWh/kg |
Safety | Complicated management system | Safe and easy to handle | Safe and easy to handle, similar to CNG, LPG etc. |
Environment | Some dangerous materials no recycling concept for lithium battery enabled | Dirty, Noisy, CO2 and particulates during operation. Frequent servicing and maintenance needed | No Concern |
Degradation | Degradation happens, performance drops over time, replacement required every few years | High maintenance, frequent parts replacement, short lifetime | 10,000 hours + 100 years tank |
Storage Time | Loses charge over time | Diesel fuel will degrade over time typically within 6 months | Can store energy indefinitely |
Hydrogen is an energy carrier, just like electricity. However, it is more versatile as it can be the base for any gas, fuel, or can be transformed into electricity. If made from renewables, hydrogen is carbon free green hydrogen. Hydrogen is increasingly considered as the missing link to bring green electricity to all sectors as it provides full energy autonomy and independence. Rather than using diesel generators, microgrids can integrate hydrogen as a pollution-free alternative.
For Indonesia, the advantages of a hydrogen mini grid are long term energy storage and clean backup energy. At the core, it only requires electricity to split water, which can be tap or rainwater. Hydrogen energy does not depreciate, so it stores and provides decentralized energy access for weeks, not just hours. The potential to convert un-utilized ‘free energy’ to Hydrogen is practically limitless as only requires adding additional empty vessels to store this and extend the autonomy of the system further.
The SRFC’s unique ability to “self-recharge” either via the electrical grid or when used in conjunction with renewables make this a unique solution in you have the performance advantages of a fuel cell, with no fuel logistics such as H2Go or H2 cylinders. For critical telecom infrastructure network backup power applications, this technology offers several advantages:
Quite Simply, SRFC is ….. Powered by Nature !
Green Energy Power Solutions
with Cost Savings and Reliability
Reliable, cost effective power and storage with maintenance free and autonomous operation, ideal for remote and off grid locations.
