Economic viability of PEM fuel cells for harnessing solar energy

This study presents a newly designed system (hydrogen storage system) to store solar energy in order to supply a highly reliable utility power. As the fuel cells used in this system has the power quality of low voltage as well as high current due to the electrochemical reaction and moreover it is also being investigated as an alternate power source for various applications like transportation and emergency power supplies. The paper presents the configuration and operation of fuel cell system along with the circuit model for a proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell that can be used to design and analyze fuel-cell power system. Cost analysis of the storage system has been done which includes the major capital and operating expenses in storing hydrogen.