Our Regenerative Fuel Cell systems combine both of these processes using a hydrogen storage vessel as the means to store energy.

Background

PEM Regenerative Fuel Cells have been around since at least the early 1980's when NASA developed and tested these systems for application to space based energy storage. Since that time numerous others have advanced the concept using both PEM and alkaline technology.

Benefits

The RFC, can provide significant benefits including:

• Seasonal energy storage: near-zero self discharge
• High levels of storage at a reasonable cost
• No practical limitations on the Depth of Discharge
• Easy and accurate state of charge measurement
• Ability to store energy from multiple energy sources
• Virtually unlimited cycle life

The figure below illustrates how the RFC can be more cost effective than batteries when storing large amounts of energy because of its ability to separate the cost of storing energy from the cost of generating power. As shown here, because of a very low marginal cost of hydrogen energy storage, the RFC becomes more cost effective than batteries once an initial configuration threshold is crossed. The marginal capital cost of energy storage, using conventional hydrogen pressure vessels can be as low as $20/kwh of capital cost.