Stand-Alone, Logistics—Free kW-Scale Hydrogen Energy Storage System

Based on experimental and theoretical research of heat and mass transfer and system integration an air heated energy storage prototype with 0.75 m
³
H
₂
metal hydride reactor was developed and tested. The experiments were performed in the system that also included 1 kW fuel cell and an electrolyzer. In the effort to enable the technology for autonomous applications, the novel concept of using fuel cell exhaust air for hydrogen desorption process replacing an external heating agent was successfully proved. Obtained results show higher efficiency rate of the system due to waste heat utilization from the air-cooled polymer electrolyte membrane, ensure mobility for autonomous applications, and open the opportunity for further research in the field of power system control. Experimental setups and results of the experiments are presented and discussed.