Hydrogen fuel cell powers Midlands house

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.

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. The University of Birmingham is leading the research project to learn more about hydrogen and fuel cells in a domestic context. Researchers are remotely monitoring the equipment at the house, to 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.

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Source: Green Building Magazine