Paper presented at the conference Detail Design in Architecture 8 at University of Wales Institute Cardiff, on the 4th September 2009.
Authors: Gavin D. J. Harper & Ross Gazey
TrustArc Webinar - Stay Ahead of US State Data Privacy Law Developments
Practical Implementation Of Renewable Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Installations in the Built Environment
1. Practical Implementation of Renewable Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Installations in the Built Environment Gavin D. J. Harper & Ross Gazey
2. Early Niche Markets for H2 Installations Data Centres (Business Continuity, UPS) Public / Municipal Buildings Hospitals Concert Venues Swimming Pools Office Blocks Current installations are by “early adopters” and “innovators”
4. Safety is Critical For Public Acceptance Safety is critical to protect “nascent technologies at a critical time in their emergence into the wider consciousness” (Gammon, 2004) “ …we don’t know much about it at all, other than we used to make bombs out of this stuff.” -Local Hornchurch resident, Mike Dyer Romford Recorder May 2003. “My feelings are rather strong on this, I think it must be dangerous.” -Local Hornchurch resident, Stephen Kelly, Romford Recorder May 2003. Quotes excepted from Garrity (2004)
12. Low wages, hard to generate wealth, limited opportunitiesTwo Proven Wind Turbines Produce Renewable Power This feeds an electrolyser which produces hydrogen. This hydrogen can be stored, for later use. An onsite hydrogen fuel cell provides heat and power. A small fuel cell vehicle can be refuelled using H2
32. Environmental Energy Technology Centre Hydrogen Mini Grid can supply: 3 Phase Mains @ 415v Electrical power -From the On-Site Wind Turbine -From the National Grid -From the grid-synchronised fuel cell. Hydrogen Gas @ up to 350bar -For refuelling hydrogen vehicles -For refilling hydrogen bottles
33. Secondary Data Gammon, R., Roy, A., Barton, J., & Little, M., (2006) Hydrogen and Renewables Integration (HARI), Report to the International Energy Agency HIA Task 18, CREST (Centre for Renewable Energy Systems Technology), Loughborough University, UK
35. Hydrogen & Renewables Integration Project H.A.R.I. Home of Prof. Tony Marmont Autonomous Hydrogen Home Images Courtesy: Rupert Gammon / Tony Marmont
37. There is not yet a standard for hydrogen installations in the same way that there is the GasSafe (Formerly CORGI) quality mark for domestic and commercial gas installations. The United Kingdom Hydrogen Association is working to address this. Present guidance is taken from the statutory industrial regulations listed below and manufacturers standards, and projects are assessed on a case-by-case basis, this adds significant expense to hydrogen installations due to the extra work of performing due-diligence. Need to move towards a standard that can be assessed by a “competent person”
42. The Pure Energy® Centre’s HyPod® running at 38-42 bar as an example, whilst next-generation hydrogen vehicles will require refuelling at between 300-750bar.Pressure Equipment Directive 97/23/EC
43.
44.
45. Code of Practice CP25 Revalidation of bulk liquid oxygen, nitrogen, argon and hydrogen cryogenic storage tanks.
46. Code of Practice CP33 The bulk storage of gaseous hydrogen at user premises 2005.Whilst currently not relevant, the regulations pertaining to liquid and cryogenically stored Hydrogen could be important in the future as hydrogen installations evolve.
57. Points to Note Individual components work well… “Systems Integration” is the challenge for services engineers. “Packaged” solutions may be an easy route to turn-key adoption (off-site fabrication) More space for servicing may need to be allowed whilst hydrogen technologies are developing. In common with other CHP, size fuel cell to meet maximum heat demand. Consider using with GSHP / Cooling (Tri-Gen)
58. Points to Note Sub 100kW Fuel Cells Accommodated in 19” Racks. High temperature systems in excess of 200kW will fill a 20’ container with auxiliary devices, safety systems and balance of plant. Clearance at front and rear for access. Consider siting: Electrical cables flowing to and from the fuel cell. Hydrogen supply pipework supplying the fuel cell. An exhaust pipe which will be large diameter and take a similar form to a gas boiler flue. A waste water drain for the exhaust water from the fuel cell.
59. Points to Note Dry hydrogen through pipes can build up static charge (equipotential bonding as with gas) Consider careful siting of flue to prevent creating an “ATEX Zone” remove sources of ignition. Waste water (very clean can be recycled) Fuel cell outputs D.C. power.
60. Conclusions “The barriers to this are not technical but mindset, regulatory, political interference and vested interest.” Allan Jones Former Chief Executive Officer London Climate Change Agency Ltd
