Revolutionizing Energy Generation: Green Hydrogen from Compact Power Plants
Key Ideas
- Researchers at Fraunhofer Institutes have developed a tandem module that efficiently produces green hydrogen, revolutionizing energy generation.
- The modular system allows for flexible hydrogen production and supply by solar energy, with the core being the Tandem-PEC module.
- By coating glass with high-purity semiconductor materials and utilizing photovoltaic elements, the system can generate over 30 kilos of hydrogen per year per module.
- This breakthrough technology paves the way for cleaner industrial processes and sustainable energy solutions, reducing the carbon footprint associated with traditional hydrogen production.
In the Neo-PEC project, researchers at Fraunhofer Institutes in Dresden, Germany, have made a significant breakthrough in energy generation by developing a tandem module that independently produces green hydrogen. This module enables a more compact and efficient process of hydrogen production, addressing the need for cleaner industrial processes. By utilizing direct solar water splitting through a Tandem-PEC module, the system integrates power generation and electrolysis in a single unit, allowing for highly flexible hydrogen production and supply powered by solar energy. The module functions by coating glass with high-purity semiconductor materials to increase hydrogen yield and enhance reactor activity. This innovative technology has the potential to generate over 30 kilos of hydrogen per year per module, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional electrolyzers. The system's efficiency is further boosted by photovoltaic elements that provide additional voltage, resulting in a reactor with an active surface area of half a square meter. The hydrogen produced can be immediately captured and quantified, showcasing the system's practical application. With a single module capable of producing enough hydrogen for a hydrogen car to travel 15,000 to 20,000 kilometers, this technology marks a significant step towards cleaner energy solutions and reduced carbon emissions in the industrial sector.