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Role of a Unitized Regenerative Fuel Cell in Remote Area Power Supply: A Review

Author

Listed:
  • Manish Kumar Singla

    (Department of Interdisciplinary Courses in Engineering, Chitkara University Institute of Engineering & Technology, Chitkara University, Rajpura 140401, India)

  • Jyoti Gupta

    (Department of Computer Science, Shree Guru Gobind Singh Tricentenary University, Gurugram 122505, India)

  • Parag Nijhawan

    (Electrical and Instrumentation Engineering Department, Thapar Institue of Engineering and Technology, Patiala 147004, India)

  • Amandeep Singh Oberoi

    (Mechanical Engineering Department, Thapar Institue of Engineering and Technology, Patiala 147004, India)

  • Mohammed H. Alsharif

    (Department of Electrical Engineering, College of Electronics and Information Engineering, Sejong University, 209 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05006, Republic of Korea)

  • Abu Jahid

    (School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Ottawa, 25 Templeton St., Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada)

Abstract

This manuscript presents a thorough review of unitized regenerative fuel cells (URFCs) and their importance in Remote Area Power Supply (RAPS). In RAPS systems that utilize solar and hydrogen power, which typically include photovoltaic modules, a proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzer, hydrogen gas storage, and PEM fuel cells, the cost of these systems is currently higher compared to conventional RAPS systems that employ diesel generators or batteries. URFCs offer a potential solution to reduce the expenses of solar hydrogen renewable energy systems in RAPS by combining the functionalities of the electrolyzer and fuel cell into a single unit, thereby eliminating the need to purchase separate and costly electrolyzer and fuel cell units. URFCs are particularly well-suited for RAPS applications because the electrolyzer and fuel cell do not need to operate simultaneously. In electrolyzer mode, URFCs function similarly to stand-alone electrolyzers. However, in fuel cell mode, the performance of URFCs is inferior to that of stand-alone fuel cells. The presented review summarizes the past, present, and future of URFCs with details on the operating modes of URFCs, limitations and technical challenges, and applications. Solar hydrogen renewable energy applications in RAPS and challenges facing solar hydrogen renewable energy in the RAPS is discussed in detail.

Suggested Citation

  • Manish Kumar Singla & Jyoti Gupta & Parag Nijhawan & Amandeep Singh Oberoi & Mohammed H. Alsharif & Abu Jahid, 2023. "Role of a Unitized Regenerative Fuel Cell in Remote Area Power Supply: A Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(15), pages 1-21, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:16:y:2023:i:15:p:5761-:d:1208864
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Marshall, A. & Børresen, B. & Hagen, G. & Tsypkin, M. & Tunold, R., 2007. "Hydrogen production by advanced proton exchange membrane (PEM) water electrolysers—Reduced energy consumption by improved electrocatalysis," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 32(4), pages 431-436.
    2. Mohammed H. Alsharif, 2017. "A Solar Energy Solution for Sustainable Third Generation Mobile Networks," Energies, MDPI, vol. 10(4), pages 1-17, March.
    3. Mohammed H. Alsharif & Jeong Kim & Jin Hong Kim, 2018. "Opportunities and Challenges of Solar and Wind Energy in South Korea: A Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(6), pages 1-23, June.
    4. Mohammed H. Alsharif & Jeong Kim, 2016. "Optimal Solar Power System for Remote Telecommunication Base Stations: A Case Study Based on the Characteristics of South Korea’s Solar Radiation Exposure," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(9), pages 1-21, September.
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