Back     Latest news from Green Building Press    Subscribe to our newsletter

Midlands house has hydrogen fuel cell

Posted: 03/11/2008

A hydrogen fuel cell system is powering a house in Lye in the West Midlands. Black Country Housing Group (BCHG), in partnership with the University of Birmingham, have installed the experimental hydrogen fuel cell system which is powering the homes electricity, water and central heating. The fuel cell unit is housed in a shed in the back garden of one of their newly-built homes in a quiet residential cul-de-sac.

The £2 million project has been jointly funded by regional development agency Advantage West Midlands and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council. It may show that hydrogen – a component of water and one of the earth’s most abundant resources – is a viable alternative to fossil fuels.

The installation uses the natural gas infrastructure. The gas is converted into hydrogen by a reformer and the hydrogen is then used in the fuel cell. Hydrogen produces no carbon emissions at the point of use, unlike fossil fuels, and is much more efficient in operation. In the future, a hydrogen infrastructure – hydrogen piped to individual buildings and residences – could make this type of technology ideal for domestic use.

A fuel cell can produce electricity, heat, and water. The fuel cell will produce electricity as long as fuel (hydrogen) is supplied. The University of Birmingham is leading the research project to learn more about hydrogen and fuel cells in a domestic context. By remotely monitoring the equipment at the house, researchers can find out more about the hydrogen fuel cell system, its efficiency, performance, operation, and durability.

A supply chain in the West Midlands is also being established to allow small companies to manufacture components for the growing market in this new technology. The new fuel cell generates 1.5kW of electricity and provides 3 kW of heat suitable for domestic heating and hot water that is transferred to a 600-litre water tank heat store next to the fuel cell.

The heat is circulated through conventional radiators and to the hot water cylinder in the house, while the electricity generated by the fuel cell powers the house. Any extra electricity generated is exported to the National Grid. If the house needs more electricity, the additional amount required is imported from the grid.

Richard Baines, Director of Sustainable Development at BCHG, said: “Hydrogen fuel cells are leading the way when it comes to green energy and it’s our belief in this technology that has driven us to install the fuel cell. Minimising impact on the environment is everyone’s responsibility but as a social housing landlord, we are able to make a real difference to the technology used in homes.”

Professor Kevin Kendall from the University of Birmingham’s School of Chemical Engineering and lead investigator said: “Ultimately all our homes could have these units. But first, more research and industry development is needed to optimise the technology.”

Green Building Press  
 

Back     Latest news from Green Building Press    Subscribe to our newsletter

2711