Electrolyser Testing for Small Size RE/H2 Systems Development at IDRILAB

In order to develop renewable energy hydrogen-based storage systems, improving knowledge of low-cost conventional electrolysis technology is one of the main issues. This paper refers about initial testing activities carried out to assess the performances of a commercial standard alkaline-type electrolyser and its adequacy to be used in renewable hydrogen storage applications. From experimental data, electrolyser I-V characteristics have been found. Their knowledge allowed to start the development of a software tool, useful to optimize photovoltaic/electrolyser matching design. This work has been accomplished at IDRILAB, a research laboratory specifically established to test and develop renewable hydrogen systems, with the partnership of University of Catania and a private investor.