Hydrogen energy vector: Demonstration pilot plant with minimal peripheral equipment

•Development of hydrogen energy vector pilot plant with minimal peripheral devices.•Use of direct PV for hydrogen production.•Energy conversion using PEM fuel cell stack.•Low pressure hydrogen storage.•Easily transportable modules for using in remote areas.

In this work we develop and build a demonstrative pilot plant of the hydrogen energy vector that includes: energy conversion by a photovoltaic panel, production of hydrogen by electrolysis of water, low pressure storage of gases and use of a stack of proton exchange membrane fuel cells. The system was designed without peripheral equipment in order to minimize energy losses. This improvement is achieved by means of suitable modification of the different elements involved. This demonstrative pilot plant appears to be useful for low and medium energy consumptions (for example, mountain huts and military shelters).