Backyard Fuel Cell

[ponyboy]

I thought this was kinda interesting. $$$ It would be nice to get away from all those batteries.

http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/15.03/play.html?pg=9

http://www.siei.org/

[rreidnauer]

Intresting concept. Terribly inefficient, but heck, if you can store two weeks of energy, it may just well be worth the losses. A couple things had me puzzled in te story.


1) GENERATE SOLAR POWER
Jason Lerner, an alternative-energy expert and family friend, installed the home???s photo*voltaic panels (cost: around $13,400) in the front yard. The cells pump out 1.6 kW during the sunniest hours of the day, which is just under a typical load for the Friend family.

2) TURN WATER INTO H AND O
Two laboratory-grade electrolyzers (Hogen GC 600 units at $7,900 each) run on solar electricity . . . . .

If they are not producing enough energy for typical domestic use, then how could they be storing up hydrogen for later use? Perhaps they have additional solar panels not mentioned? Second, how are they compressing it to be forced into the tank? Maybe the electrolyzers are capable of that on their own?

Too bad they can't liquify the hydrogen. You could probably store months worth in the same tank. That would take an large amount of energy to perform and maintain.

[ponyboy]

Maybe they were talking about 1.6kw in the winter time. Seems like if it was just under a typical daily load that they would add a few more PV panels. :?

[ChainsawGrandpa]

Thought about it briefly. I could build the fuel cell
for about $1,600. My problem was the PEM has to
be sealed-up incredibly tight to maintain a modicum
of effeciency. Since I am sheltered by trees and have
many winter days of minimal sunlight I decided that
a diesel generator might be best. I reallt favor the
Listeroids.
-Rick