Project number
25020
Organization
SEC Energy
Offering
ENGR498-F2024-S2025
This project addresses a critical challenge in renewable energy: developing efficient and sustainable energy storage for intermittent energy sources like solar and wind. Despite the massive growth of renewable energy in the past decade, its utility will always be limited unless there is a way to store the energy to align production with demand. Conventional battery storage is effective, but it is limited by lifespan and environmental impact. Clean hydrogen offers a promising alternative.
The team designed and prototyped a system that generates hydrogen through solar-powered water electrolysis using a 900 W photovoltaic array. It stores the hydrogen at pressures of up to 40 psi in a gravity-fed water tank. A solenoid valve regulates flow to a fuel cell that converts hydrogen back into electricity for future use. An Arduino microcontroller monitors temperature and pressure sensors to ensure system safety and optimal operation.
This integrated renewable energy cycle provides key insights into scaling the design to a 50 kW solar system and a full-scale hydrogen generation plant. With this project, the team has demonstrated hydrogen’s potential as a scalable, reliable and environmentally friendly energy storage solution.
The team designed and prototyped a system that generates hydrogen through solar-powered water electrolysis using a 900 W photovoltaic array. It stores the hydrogen at pressures of up to 40 psi in a gravity-fed water tank. A solenoid valve regulates flow to a fuel cell that converts hydrogen back into electricity for future use. An Arduino microcontroller monitors temperature and pressure sensors to ensure system safety and optimal operation.
This integrated renewable energy cycle provides key insights into scaling the design to a 50 kW solar system and a full-scale hydrogen generation plant. With this project, the team has demonstrated hydrogen’s potential as a scalable, reliable and environmentally friendly energy storage solution.