Solar Energy

A PV module converts sunlight directly into electricity. A PV module converts sunlight directly into electricity. Sunlight can be converted to electricity using photovoltaic (“PV”) or solar cells. PV cells are semiconductor devices, usually made of silicon, which contain no liquids, corrosive chemicals or moving parts. They come in many sizes, and are most often 10 cm by 10 cm and generate about half a volt of electricity. PV cells are bundled together in modules or panels to produce higher voltages and increased power. PV panels through a paradigm-shift can be highly efficient.

PV cells are normally fabricated using special semiconductor materials that allow electrons, which are energized when the material is exposed to sunlight, to be freed from their atoms. Once freed, they can move through the material and carry an electric current. The current flows in one direction (like a battery), and thus the electricity generated is termed direct current (“DC”).

The energy generated by PV modules can be used immediately and the excess energy use to drive an electrolyzer (breaking down water into hydrogen and oxygen).

While we will deploy whatever technology best meets the needs of a particular project, the core technology for our planned product line of Regenerative Fuel Cell (RFC) systems is Proton Exchange Membrane, or PEM, technology. This technology uses a solid polymer membrane as the system electrolyte. This unique material works like battery but is inert and safe to touch. It functions to transport hydrogen ions or protons to enable either electrolysis or fuel cell reactions.

PEM Electrolysis Process

This animation depicts the charge, or electrolysis mode. This process splits water into hydrogen and oxygen and can produce hydrogen directly without mechanical compression. As shown here, water (H2O) enters the cell and is split at the surface of the membrane to form protons, electrons and gaseous oxygen. The gaseous oxygen leaves the cell while the protons move through the membrane under the influence of the applied electric field and electrons move through the external circuit. The protons and electrons combine at the opposite surface to form pure gaseous hydrogen.

PEM Fuel Cell Process

The fuel cell uses the reverse process. Here, hydrogen and oxygen (from the air) are applied to the cell. The hydrogen splits to release its electrons to the external circuit and provide power to the load. The protons move across the membrane, attracted by the oxygen potential, and combine with the oxygen to form water at the opposite electrode surface.

Regenerative Fuel Cells

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

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

DBK solar fuel cell generator consists of the following parts:

Solar Panels – power to the electrolyser and to generate power during sunlight hours

Electrolysers – converts water into hydrogen and oxygen, using the hydrogen for the fuel cell

Fuel Cells—convert the hydrogen into electricity and back to water again

Hydrogen Storage System—for use during non-daylight hours

Supervisory Instrumentation--controlling and switching

Inverters--convert dc into ac voltage

All systems have to be custom built and can operate on or off the electric grid. It takes three to six months to build a system after you order is place.

courtesy of Beck Energy

DBK Corporation