Solar Challenge
When it comes to solar energy , supply often doesn ’ t line up with demand .
“ In the middle of the day , we have a lot of solar energy being produced . But we don ’ t have a lot of demand until about 6 o ’ clock at night when we all go home ,” said Dr . Paul Brooker , University of Central Florida ( UCF ) assistant research professor at the university ’ s Florida Solar Energy Center ( FSEC ). “ There ’ s going to be a need to shift some of that energy that is produced at high production rates and low demand rates to when we have a higher demand .”
During sunny periods when production is high and demand is low , solar panels could be used to electrolyze water , producing hydrogen . During periods of low production and high demand , that hydrogen can be used to feed fuel cells , which , in turn , generate electricity .
project . Researchers studied how these cells break down in harsh conditions in order to identify technology to improve their performance in a real-world setting .
At the FSEC , Brooker subjected fuel cells to accelerated stress tests . He operated fuel cells in conditions specifically designed to degrade key components , significantly reducing the performance of the fuel cell and , ultimately , destroying it . These conditions included operations at temperatures up to 230 degrees Fahrenheit in lower relative humidity .
“ We can ’ t just run these fuel cells for months and years at normal operating conditions because it would just take too long to figure out what breaks ,” Brooker said . “ So we invent an accelerated program that speeds up the process .”
Currently , some fuel cells can run on propane , methane , gasoline and diesel . Fuel cells powered by hydrogen are the cleanest , since they emit only water and heat as byproducts .
However , economic viability of fuel cells will only occur when they last for over five years . Due to the harsh operating environment , fuel cell components degrade , causing performance to significantly decay .
The FSEC and ITB Inc ., an engineering consulting firm in Merritt Island , are paving the way to a more durable fuel cell though a Florida High Tech Corridor Matching Grants Research Program
“ Having the opportunity to utilize the existing FSEC capability in equipment and personnel to successfully provide the necessary data was impressive and essential for understanding the future developmental challenges for achieving necessary durability performance of any systems that would implement the technology ,” said Al Sorkin , ITB engineer .
Funds received through The Corridor significantly impacted the amount of time researchers were able to devote to the project , allowing them to deliver greater value to the company .
“ Without that funding , we would have been able to do only half or fewer tests ,” Brooker said . florida . HIGH . TECH 2017 23