Preliminary Tests On A Miniaturized Hybrid Pv-Pemfc System

A regenerative hybrid PV-PEMFC low power system is a suitable solution to replace batteries and to supply small electric devices placed in remote areas with no grid connection. Such a system was designed and built including a PV array, electrolyzer, PEMFC stack (6We) and hydrogen storage tank. As well known a hybrid PV-PEMFC energy system may represent a reliable solution to the renewable energy storage problem. Hydrogen produced by such a system is a clean fuel, suitable to replace traditional fuels which contain carbon damaging the environment. The paper reports results of a preliminary, non-dynamic experimental analysis performed on the system in order to study the effects of the anode pressure and external temperature on performance. A miniaturized system represents also a safe and unexpensive solution to perform analysis and simulate larger PEMFC applications. Several auxiliary devices were employed in order to obtain a system suitable for indoor and outdoor analysis. This study proposes also a simple semi-empirical mathematical model based on a graphic analysis and a non-linear regression of experimental data sets, for specific operating conditions, processes and materials employed.