PRELIMINARY DESIGN: INTEGRATION OF ELECTROLYSIS AND THIN-FILM SOLAR TECHNOLOGY FOR ONBOARD HYDROGEN PRODUCTION IN FUEL CELL VEHICLE (FCV)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.35631/IJIREV.824033Keywords:
Efficiency, Hydrogen, Infrastructure, OnboardAbstract
This research is focused on the integration of thin-film solar technology with electrolysis for onboard hydrogen production in fuel cell vehicles (FCVs). The study identifies electrolysis, driven by renewable solar energy, as a suitable method for producing high-purity hydrogen directly on the vehicle. This approach addresses some of the challenges faced by the existing infrastructure for hydrogen refueling stations, which is heavily reliant on the efficient and safe transportation of hydrogen. Currently, transportation primarily depends on tanker trucks that move hydrogen from production facilities to refueling stations. However, this method is constrained by truck capacity, limiting the volume of liquid hydrogen transported. By designing an integrated system that combines thin-film solar panels with a compact electrolyzer, the research will be able to demonstrate a feasible and efficient approach for continuous hydrogen generation, eliminating the need for external refueling infrastructure. The system's performance is investigated and evaluated based on previous literature and will be further assessed using experimental simulations. From the investigation and preliminary analysis, this proposed technology is able to provide a significant improvement in hydrogen production efficiency compared to conventional methods. The preliminary findings show that this proposed innovative integration offers a viable solution for sustainable and independent hydrogen production in FCVs, supporting the advancement of clean transportation technologies and contributing to the broader adoption of fuel cell vehicles.
Downloads
References
Ahad, M. T., Bhuiyan, M. M. H., Sakib, A. N., Becerril Corral, A., & Siddique, Z. (2023). An overview of challenges for the future of hydrogen. Materials, 16(20), 1–28.
Akac, A., Tsiatsiou, K., & Angelakakis, A. (2022). A review on best practices using hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicles in public transport. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 1123(1), 1–10. IOP Publishing. doi:10.1088/1755-1315/1123/1/012055
De Wolf, D., & Smeers, Y. (2023). Comparison of battery electric vehicles and fuel cell vehicles. World Electric Vehicle Journal, 14(9), 1–13.
Dulău, L.-I. (2023). CO2 emissions of battery electric vehicles and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. Clean Technologies, 5(2), 696–712. https://doi.org/10.3390/cleantechnol5020035
Genovese, M., & Fragiacomo, P. (2023). Hydrogen refueling station: Overview of the technological status and research enhancement. Journal of Energy Storage, 61, 1–22. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.est.2023.106758
Greene, D. L., Ogden, J. M., & Lin, Z. (2020). Challenges in the designing, planning and deployment of hydrogen refueling infrastructure for fuel cell electric vehicles. ETransportation, 6, 1–22. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590116820300436
Habib, M. S., & Arefin, P. (2022). Adoption of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles and Its Prospects for the Future. Oriental Journal Of Chemistry, 38(3), 621–631. https://bit.ly/393tE5b
Harrison, K. W., Remick, R., Martin, G. D., & Hoskin, A. (2010). Hydrogen Production: Fundamentals and Case Study Summaries. In Hydrogen and Fuel Cells: Fundamentals, Technologies and Applications (pp. 207–226). John Wiley & Sons.
Hoque, N., Biswas, W., Mazhar, I., & Howard, I. (2020). Life cycle sustainability assessment of alternative energy sources for the Western Australian transport sector. Sustainability, 12(14), 1–32. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12145565
Hren, R., Vujanović, A., Van Fan, Y., Klemeš, J. J., Krajnc, D., & Čuček, L. (2023). Hydrogen production, storage and transport for renewable energy and chemicals: An environmental footprint assessment. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 173, 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2022.113113
Kolbe, K., Lechtenböhmer, S., & Fischedick, M. (2020). Hydrogen derived from algae and cyanobacteria as a decentralized fueling option for hydrogen powered cars: Size, space, and cost characteristics of potential bioreactors. International Journal of Sustainable Transportation, 14(5), 325–334. https://doi.org/10.1080/15568318.2018.1547935
Kumar, S. S., & Himabindu, Vjms. (2019). Hydrogen production by PEM water electrolysis–A review. Materials Science for Energy Technologies, 2(3), 442–454. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mset.2019.03.002
Kurtz, J., Sprik, S., & Bradley, T. H. (2019). Review of transportation hydrogen infrastructure performance and reliability. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 44(23), 12010–12023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2019.03.027
Lane, B., Shaffer, B., & Samuelsen, S. (2020). A comparison of alternative vehicle fueling infrastructure scenarios. Applied Energy, 259, 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2019.114128
Lee, T. D., & Ebong, A. U. (2017). A review of thin film solar cell technologies and challenges. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 70, 1286–1297. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2016.12.028
Noufi, R., & Zweibel, K. (2006). High-efficiency CdTe and CIGS thin-film solar cells: highlights and challenges. 2006 IEEE 4th World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conference, 1, 317–320. IEEE. 10.1109/WCPEC.2006.279455
Ong, H. C., Mahlia, T. M. I., & Masjuki, H. H. (2011). A review on emissions and mitigation strategies for road transport in Malaysia. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 15(8), 3516–3522. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2011.05.006
Oni, A. O., Anaya, K., Giwa, T., Di Lullo, G., & Kumar, A. (2022). Comparative assessment of blue hydrogen from steam methane reforming, autothermal reforming, and natural gas decomposition technologies for natural gas-producing regions. Energy Conversion and Management, 254, 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2022.115245
Panić, I., Cuculić, A., & Ćelić, J. (2022). Color-coded hydrogen: Production and storage in maritime sector. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, 10(12), 1–31. https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse10121995
Pawelczyk, E., Łukasik, N., Wysocka, I., Rogala, A., & Gębicki, J. (2022). Recent progress on hydrogen storage and production using chemical hydrogen carriers. Energies, 15(14), 1–34. https://doi.org/10.3390/en15144964
Sapountzi, F. M., Gracia, J. M., Fredriksson, H. O. A., & Niemantsverdriet, J. W. H. (2017). Electrocatalysts for the generation of hydrogen, oxygen and synthesis gas. Progress in Energy and Combustion Science, 58, 1–35. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pecs.2016.09.001
Singla, M. K., Gupta, J., Beryozkina, S., Safaraliev, M., & Singh, M. (2024). The colorful economics of hydrogen: Assessing the costs and viability of different hydrogen production methods-A review. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 61, 664–677. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2024.02.255
Szałek, A., Pielecha, I., & Cieslik, W. (2021). Fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) energy flow analysis in real driving conditions (RDC). Energies, 14(16), 1–17. https://doi.org/10.3390/en14165018
Wang, N., & Tang, G. (2022). A review on environmental efficiency evaluation of new energy vehicles using life cycle analysis. Sustainability, 14(6), 1–35. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14063371
Wang, T., Cao, X., & Jiao, L. (2022). PEM water electrolysis for hydrogen production: fundamentals, advances, and prospects. Carbon Neutrality, 1(1), 1–19. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s43979-022-00022-8
Wong, E. Y. C., Ho, D. C. K., So, S., Tsang, C.-W., & Chan, E. M. H. (2021). Life cycle assessment of electric vehicles and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles using the greet model—A comparative study. Sustainability, 13(9), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13094872
Wu, X. (2004). High-efficiency polycrystalline CdTe thin-film solar cells. Solar Energy, 77(6), 803–814. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2004.06.006
Xiaoxin, Z., Qigong, C., & Yuan, G. (2023). Optimal scheduling of integrated energy systems including hydrogen electrolyzers, HFCVs, and electric vehicles. Energy Science & Engineering, 11(1), 347–356. https://doi.org/10.1002/ese3.1336
Yazdi, M., Moradi, R., Pirbalouti, R. G., Zarei, E., & Li, H. (2023). Enabling safe and sustainable hydrogen mobility: circular economy-driven management of hydrogen vehicle safety. Processes, 11(9), 1–29. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16206680
