svetz
Works in theory! Practice? That's something else
One of the arguments against fuel-cell EVs is quite reasonably the lack of hydrogen refilling stations in the U.S.
A reversible fuel cell can convert hydrogen into electricity, or electricity and water into hydrogen. Think of a gallon of gasoline as a battery with 33.7 kWh battery that is "full" at charge. A gallon of water represents about 25 kWh of "empty" battery before efficiencies.
So, why have hydrogen infrastructure (e.g., pipeline) for the home generators or EVs? Just treat them as empty batteries on delivery and pour in a few gallons of deionized water. Or for EVs, let them recharge from your solar during the day by making hydrogen.
We're not doing this today for two reasons: the system cost and the system efficiency. A hydrogen fuel cell is ~60% efficient, and electrolysis is up to around 80%. It just can't compare to LFP's roundtrip efficiency of 80%.
But, if the price came down... it might make sense for hydrogen fuel cell EVs to "recharge" at home as it decreases vehicle weight. Similarly, it could replace the battery for your home system. So, I went looking for them and they exist, but they're not economical. Wonder what it'll look like in a decade... probably the same, solid-state LFP will probably be blowing everything else away.
But, what do you think?
A reversible fuel cell can convert hydrogen into electricity, or electricity and water into hydrogen. Think of a gallon of gasoline as a battery with 33.7 kWh battery that is "full" at charge. A gallon of water represents about 25 kWh of "empty" battery before efficiencies.
So, why have hydrogen infrastructure (e.g., pipeline) for the home generators or EVs? Just treat them as empty batteries on delivery and pour in a few gallons of deionized water. Or for EVs, let them recharge from your solar during the day by making hydrogen.
We're not doing this today for two reasons: the system cost and the system efficiency. A hydrogen fuel cell is ~60% efficient, and electrolysis is up to around 80%. It just can't compare to LFP's roundtrip efficiency of 80%.
But, if the price came down... it might make sense for hydrogen fuel cell EVs to "recharge" at home as it decreases vehicle weight. Similarly, it could replace the battery for your home system. So, I went looking for them and they exist, but they're not economical. Wonder what it'll look like in a decade... probably the same, solid-state LFP will probably be blowing everything else away.
But, what do you think?