Renewable and Alternative Energy the Contribution of Fuel Cells
E. Peled School of Chemistry, Tel Aviv University Renewable and Alternative Energy Conference 8-11-2006
The Impact of Fuel Cells
Fuel Cells could have a great positive effect on Western society They would reduce • dependence on oil import • pollution • dependence on the proximity of utility companies Disadvantage • Currently cost-prohibitive
Fuel-Cell Applications (a partial list)
• Transportation: a) Hydrogen fuel cells for cars and trucks. b) Methanol and ethylene glycol fuel cells for small electric vehicles. • Solar and wind-energy storage systems (regenerative fuel cells) • Fast-response electric power storage and load leveling (regenerative fuel cells).
Tel Aviv University Achievements
• Development of low-cost high-performance fuel-cell membranes (patents filed) • Discovery of new and safer fuels (patents filed) • World-record power for: a) Hydrogen-bromine fuel cell (1.5 W/cm2) b) Direct methanol fuel cell (0.5 W/cm2 ) c) Direct ethylene glycol fuel cell (0.3 W/cm2) • Development of a low-cost high-power hydrogen-air fuel cell (0.85 W/cm2) • Development of a small (1 liter) power unit demonstrator for laptops. This unit is fed by methanol and can be scaled up for application to small electric vehicles.
Scaling Up Production of Fuel Cells Membrane - Continuous Coater (15m2/h)
33cm wide 2G NP-PCM
Example of Fuel Cell System Integration –
12W Power Unit Demo for Laptop It can be scaled up for small electric vehicles.
PU Demo
Solar- and Wind-Energy Market
• The energy-storage system is an enable technology for stand-alone and for large solar and wind electric-power generators. • In the future, a large fraction of the world’s electric power will be produced by these technologies • The market for these electrical-energystorage systems is very large, many billions of dollars.
Commercialization of large solar and wind electric-power generators • The problem:
• Today, all electricity-storage systems are too expensive for large solar and wind generators and for load leveling. • The major problem is the cost of the chemicals used for electrical-energy storage.
The solution:
• The TAU hydrogen-bromine (RFC) energy-storage system is based on low-cost materials and thus will be an enable technology for large solar- and windenergy storage systems and for load leveling.
Summary
• Our scientific and technological achievements in the field of fuel cells are recognized worldwide. • Our fuel-cell (and battery) research team can contribute significantly to the renewable and alternative energy initiative.
Thank you all for your attention!