A team of researchers at the University of Central Florida (UCF) has invented a renewable energy storage system that converts excess energy into hydrogen and oxygen for long-term storage in NASA cryogenic flow capacitors (CFCs).
In a world increasingly concerned about the environmental impact of our actions, the need for green solutions has become a priority. One of the most important challenges in this regard is renewable energy storageWhich should be able to provide clean and sustainable energy when it is needed.
In this context, UCF Pegasus Professor Jayant Kapat and fellow researchers Marcel Otto and Ladislav Vesely have found an innovative solution using it. NASA Cryogenic Flow Capacitor (CFC) As a way to store hydrogen and oxygen generated from surplus renewable energy.
How UCF technology works
Technology developed by the UCF team, called the SCO Energy System2 direct combustion of h2/ hey2Uses renewable energy to generate hydrogen and oxygen by electrolysis of water.
These gases are stored separately in NASA CFCs, which use piping and pressure valves. keep gases at liquid density without the need for liquefaction.
Later, when energy is needed, the gases combine in a combustion chamber, which heats the water and supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO2,Which drives the turbines that generate electricity.
One of the main advantages of this system is that Does not emit harmful nitrogen oxides (NOX,which reduces its environmental impact compared to other energy storage systems.
Furthermore, the system Does not require a constant source of water, which makes it more accessible and durable. Finally, its compact size makes the system easy to install and operate.
Goal: Improve what batteries offer
Energy storage is an important problem that arises when using renewable energy sources.
Unlike fossil fuels, which can be stored in large quantities in tanks or pipelines, renewable energy has a variable flow that depends on weather conditions.
In this sense, lithium battery They have been widely used as a way to store renewable energy, but their storage capacity is limited and only suitable for short periods.
However, the system developed by the UCF team, on the other hand, Can store hydrogen and oxygen for days, weeks and even monthsWhich makes it more suitable for meeting long term energy needs.
very diverse applications
In addition to meeting community energy needs, UCF’s technology can be used for applications outside the power sector. “You can see this technology being used as a backup system for a data center, hospital, or Some facility that should be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week”Otto says. “Or to reduce the carbon footprint to replace diesel generators.”
“Airplanes cannot be powered directly by solar power or electricity; We need fuel,” says Kapat. “Hydrogen can also be used where we convert renewable energy into a storable chemical and then use it”,
As for future plans, the latter reports that the team continues to investigate ways to optimize storage. In addition, the technology is being disclosed to the US Department of Energy and work is underway to secure sufficient funding for further testing.
source | University of Central Florida
