Hydro fuel battery for the first time operating in Antarctica

The new hydrogen fuel cell, developed by a hydrogen energy technology enterprise of the Chinese state electricity investment group, is the core component in the micro -grid system of the Qinling Station – the research station of 5,244 m2 of China in Antarctica. Qinling can operate all year round, containing up to 80 people in the summer and 30 people in the winter. The construction station on Inexpressible island, the island of many rocks and strong winds, near the Ross beach.

The fuel battery system at the Qinling station consists of a maximum hydrogen tank of 50 m3 and is designed to be able to expand the module. It can achieve 50%power generation efficiency, combined efficiency and heat above 90%, design life is 40,000 hours.

When operating independently, fuel cells can provide continuous power to the station for up to 24 days, with a maximum capacity of 30 kW. Compared to the process of generating electricity based on traditional fossil fuel, the new hydrogen fuel cell saves about 400 grams of standard coal and reduces emissions about 1 kg of CO2 with each electric kWh produced.

When the wind and sunlight conditions are favorable, the excess electricity that the wind and sun systems will be used to produce hydrogen. This hydrogen is stored for later use. When the wind and the sun are low, the hydrogen storage is converted back into electricity and heat via fuel cells, ensuring stable and sustainable energy supply.

The successful application in Antarctica helps confirm the reliability of hydrogen fuel cell technology in extremely low temperature environments, solving a big challenge in using hydrogen energy for extreme regional energy systems. This achievement also sets new standards for the construction of the energy system and micro -grid in other cold and harsh environments in the world.