The application of solar-powered Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) electrolysers for the sustainable production of hydrogen gas as fuel for domestic cooking

Abstract

Hydrogen generation systems coupled with renewable energy systems such as photovoltaic panels can have a role as sustainable energy generation systems for independent applications that can also have a significant part in tackling energy poverty. This chapter examines a system that consists of a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) electrolyser powered by photovoltaic panels with the purpose to use the produced hydrogen as cooking fuel for domestic applications. It describes a small-scale experimental study of a PEM electrolyser powered by operational data from a photovoltaic panel system installed in Brunel University, UK, and the University of Technology, Kingston, Jamaica. The results show that maximum efficiency of the electrolyser was 62.8 % for a day with constantly high irradiance and 47 % for a day with volatile irradiance.