Practical Implementation Of Renewable Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Installations in the Built Environment

Practical Implementation of Renewable Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Installations in the Built EnvironmentGavin D. J. Harper & Ross Gazey (2009)Detail Design in Architecture 8 “Translating sustainable design into sustainable construction”, 4 th September 2009 @ CSAD, UWIC, Cardiff

Practical Implementation of Renewable Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Installations in the Built

Environment

Gavin D. J. Harper & Ross Gazey


Early Niche Markets for H2 Installations

• Data Centres (Business Continuity, UPS)• Public / Municipal Buildings

– Hospitals– Concert Venues– Swimming Pools– Office Blocks

Current installations are by “early adopters” and “innovators”


Hydrogen: The Global Context


Safety is Critical For Public AcceptanceSafety is critical to protect “nascent technologies at a critical time in

their emergence into the wider consciousness” (Gammon, 2004)

“ …we don’t know much about it at all, other than we used to make bombs out of this stuff.”

-Local Hornchurch resident, Mike Dyer Romford Recorder May 2003.

“My feelings are rather strong on this, I think it must be dangerous.”-Local Hornchurch resident, Stephen Kelly, Romford Recorder May 2003.

Quotes excepted from Garrity (2004)


Primary Data

Collected from PURE Energy Centre Projects


•The PURE Energy Centre is a venture on the northernost Shetland Island of Unst. Established originally as a community venture, the project has since grown into a world-leading consultancy on clean hydrogen.

• Island community• Highest Oil Prices in UK• ‘Energy Isolation’ – North Sea Oil currently generates revenue.

• Lack of “highly skilled” jobs• Problems retaining young people on the island• Low wages, hard to generate wealth, limited opportunities

PURE Energy Centre, Baltasound, Unst

Two Proven Wind Turbines Produce Renewable PowerThis feeds an electrolyser which produces hydrogen.

This hydrogen can be stored, for later use.An onsite hydrogen fuel cell provides heat and power.

A small fuel cell vehicle can be refuelled using H2


Image Courtesy: PURE Energy Centre








Shetland, Unst: The Energy Island



Shetland, Unst: The Energy Island

Turbine

Houses

•Grid Independent Houses•Hydrogen from Renewables•Fuel Cell provides Combined Heat and Power



Hydrogen Office, Methil

Energy efficiency• Increased insulation• Increased efficient glazing to minimise heat loss and

unwanted heat gain• Natural ventilation to remove the need for air

conditioning• A layout that maximises natural daylight to minimise

the need for artificial lighting• Efficient lighting and control systems• A ground source heat pump, also recovering waste

heat from a fuel cell and electrolysis unit, to provide most of the heating and hot water for the building


Environmental Energy Technology Centre

The main criteria for the development of EETC are:• Iconic building

• Use of innovative technology• ‘Zero carbon building’

• Iconic Renewable Hydrogen System• Support enterprising and innovation of products

• Exploit opportunities arising from low carbon economy


Electrolyser

Fuel CellStorag

e

EETC

National Grid

Compressor


http://www.hydrogen-yorkshire.co.uk/



Hydrogen Mini Grid can supply:3 Phase Mains @ 415vElectrical power

-From the On-Site Wind Turbine-From the National Grid-From the grid-synchronised fuel cell.

Hydrogen Gas @ up to 350bar-For refuelling hydrogen vehicles-For refilling hydrogen bottles


Secondary Data

Gammon, R., Roy, A., Barton, J., & Little, M., (2006) Hydrogen and Renewables Integration (HARI), Report to the

International Energy Agency HIA Task 18, CREST (Centre for Renewable Energy Systems Technology), Loughborough

University, UK


Hydrogen & Renewables Integration Project

Gammon, R., (2006) IEA HIA Task 18 Report


Hydrogen & Renewables Integration Project

H.A.R.I.Home of Prof. Tony MarmontAutonomous Hydrogen Home

Images Courtesy:Rupert Gammon / Tony Marmont


Relevant Safety Information& Legislation


There is not yet a standard for hydrogen installations in the same way that there is the GasSafe (Formerly CORGI) quality mark for domestic and commercial gas installations. The United Kingdom Hydrogen Association is working to address this.

Present guidance is taken from the statutory industrial regulations listed below and manufacturers standards, and projects are assessed on a case-by-case basis, this adds significant expense to hydrogen installations due to the extra work of performing due-diligence.

Need to move towards a standard that can be assessed by a “competent person”


Companies such as BOC have a long experience of working safely with Hydrogen as an industrial gas.

HAZOP Analysis – Hazard and operability studies; are a useful tool in refining process and procedure to ensure safe-working practise.

Also consider: Strong alkali which is used in electrolyser systems, its storage and use should be done in accordance with the COSHH regulations.

•ATEX (Explosive Atmospheres)•COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health)•PED (Pressure Equipment Directive)


Pressure Equipment Directive EU standard

•The pressure equipment directive covers vessels, piping, valves and associated accessories for safety and managing pressure•For installations running at greater than 0.5bar•The Pure Energy® Centre’s HyPod® running at 38-42 bar as an example, whilst next-generation hydrogen vehicles will require refuelling at between 300-750bar.

Pressure Equipment Directive 97/23/EC


ATEX directive

Two directives, from the European Union, one which applies to the manufacture of equipment and their associated protective systems for use in explosive environments, and the other which applies to the operation and use of equipment in explosive environment.•ATEX 95 equipment directive 94/9/EC, Equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres; •ATEX 137 workplace directive 99/92/EC, Minimum requirements for improving the safety and health protection of workers potentially at risk from explosive atmospheres.


The BCGA provide guidance on the use of industrial compressed gases (exclusively for UK installations):

•Code of Practice CP8 Safe Storage of gaseous hydrogen in seamless cylinders and similar containers•Code of Practice CP25 Revalidation of bulk liquid oxygen, nitrogen, argon and hydrogen cryogenic storage tanks.•Code of Practice CP33 The bulk storage of gaseous hydrogen at user premises 2005.

Whilst currently not relevant, the regulations pertaining to liquid and cryogenically stored Hydrogen could be important in the future as hydrogen installations evolve.


In addition, the IGC provide the following guidance notes:•6/93 Code of Practice: Safety in storage, handling and distribution of liquid hydrogen.•15/96 Gaseous Hydrogen Stations

Whilst the U.S. Compressed Gas Association provide the following:•G-5 Hydrogen•G5-4 Standard for Hydrogen Piping at Consumer Locations•G5-5 Hydrogen vent systems

Furthermore, the U.S. National Fire Protection Association provide:•50A Gaseous hydrogen systems at consumer sites•50B Liquefied hydrogen systems at consumer sites

Until explicit UK guidance is developed, best practice is used from international case studies.


Architectural Detailing


Planning Process

•Educate the Client•Educate the Planning Officer•Educate the local Fire Service

Need for much improved knowledge transfer.


Passive Safety Through Architectural Detailing


Points to Note

• Individual components work well… “Systems Integration” is the challenge for services engineers.

• “Packaged” solutions may be an easy route to turn-key adoption (off-site fabrication)

• More space for servicing may need to be allowed whilst hydrogen technologies are developing.

• In common with other CHP, size fuel cell to meet maximum heat demand.

• Consider using with GSHP / Cooling (Tri-Gen)


Points to Note

• Sub 100kW Fuel Cells Accommodated in 19” Racks.• High temperature systems in excess of 200kW will fill a 20’

container with auxiliary devices, safety systems and balance of plant.

• Clearance at front and rear for access.• Consider siting:

– Electrical cables flowing to and from the fuel cell.– Hydrogen supply pipework supplying the fuel cell.– An exhaust pipe which will be large diameter and take a

similar form to a gas boiler flue.– A waste water drain for the exhaust water from the fuel cell.


Points to Note

• Dry hydrogen through pipes can build up static charge (equipotential bonding as with gas)

• Consider careful siting of flue to prevent creating an “ATEX Zone” remove sources of ignition.

• Waste water (very clean can be recycled)• Fuel cell outputs D.C. power.


“The barriers to this are not technical but mindset,

regulatory, political interference and vested interest.”

Allan JonesFormer Chief Executive Officer

London Climate Change Agency Ltd

Conclusions