Within the framework of Collaborative Innovation Formations, a pilot Backup Hydrogen Supply System was developed by MES ENERGY S.A.. The system functions as an uninterrupted power supply capable of delivering electrical energy to loads using hydrogen as a fuel. Primarily intended for the building sector, it can also be applied in various other appliications, such as integrating with Renewable Energy Systems (e.g., Photovoltaic Systems).
The pilot system, which is part of the research program: Bussiness Development Plans for Renewable Energy Sources and Energy Savings Innovations for Application in Almost Zero-Energy Infrastructures, and was developed in the spring of 2023, consists of the following:
- Air-cooled hydrogen fuel cell with a polymer proton exchange membrane (PEM)
- Closed-type battery array for energy storage
- Pressurized hydrogen gas cylinders
- Touchscreen with a microprocessor
- DC load bank, integrated to simulate electrical infrastructure loads
During the spring and summer of 2023, the operation of the backup system was monitored and recorded while supplying electricity to building loads, specifically a school building, an office, and a residence. A DC electronic load was used to simulate the infastructure loads.Parameters such as voltage, current, and power supplied by the backup system to the electronic load were recorded during system operation.
From the implementation and monitoring of the system, the following capabilities of the backup system were identified:
- Provision of the desired power level without fluctuations for as long as needed
- Quick response to changes in the desired power
- Supply of energy to infrastructure whenever necessary, e.g., during power outages, provided there is sufficient stored fuel
Due to these capabilities, it is inferred that the system has the potential to replace conventional backup systems like Diesel Fuel Cell (HFC) generators, offering advantages such as:
- Reduction or elimination of CO₂ emissions through the use of green hydrogen
- Lower noise levels
- Lower operational expenses mainly due to reduced maintenance requirements
As an example, it was calculated that replacing a conventional Diesel Fuel Cell backup system with the proposed hydrogen backup system, in the case of a school building, could result in an annual operating cost reduction of 610 EUR and a reduction of annual CO₂ emissions by 400 kg.
More results can be found in the following scientific publication:
Tziritas, D.; Stavrakakis, G.M.; Bakirtzis, D.; Kaplanis, G.; Patlitzianas, K.; Damasiotis, M.; Zervas, P.L. Techno-Economic Analysis of a Hydrogen-Based Power Supply Backup System for Tertiary Sector Buildings: A Case Study in Greece. Sustainability 2023, 15, 7646. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15097646