Can a fuel cell be used as an energy storage device?

When used as an energy storage device, the fuel cell is combined with a fuel generation device, commonly an electrolyzer, to create a Regenerative Fuel Cell (RFC) system, which can convert electrical energy to a storable fuel and then use this fuel in a fuel cell reaction to provide electricity when needed.

How do fuel cells work?

Fuel cells are electrochemical devices that convert chemical energy into electrical energy through a controlled redox reaction. They are distinct from batteries in that they require a continuous supply of fuel and oxidant (usually oxygen) to operate, while batteries store their energy internally.

What is a fuel cell based energy storage system?

A fuel cell-based energy storage system allows separation of power conversion and energy storage functions enabling each function to be individually optimized for performance, cost or other installation factors. This ability to separately optimize each element of an energy storage system can provide significant benefits for many applications.

Can a fuel cell power a car?

A second set of devices called fuel cells can then convert that hydrogen back to electricity to power cars, trucks, and buses, or to feed it to the grid. But commercial electrolyzers and fuel cells use different catalysts to speed up the two reactions, meaning a single device can't do both jobs.

How do you store energy in a battery?

But batteries are costly and store only enough energy to back up the grid for a few hours at most. Another option is to store the energy by converting it into hydrogen fuel. Devices called electrolyzers do this by using electricity—ideally from solar and wind power—to split water into oxygen and hydrogen gas, a carbon-free fuel.

Can novel fuel cells store electricity from renewables?

Novel fuel cells can help store electricity from renewables, such as wind farms, by converting it into a chemical fuel for long-term storage and then changing it back to electricity when needed. iStock.com/Ron_Thomas