The fossil fuel era of the energy world is reaching its end.
The climate change and the depletion of the oil and gas reserves have forced us
into investigating other possible energy sources. On the other hand the energy problem has also
a great social impact. The population of our planet keeps rising steadily and
by 2035 is expected to be 8.5 billion. How will it be possible to satisfy the
needs of all these people? With the current data and our energy consumption
behaviour it might prove impossible... Fossil fuels will become more and more
expensive and accessible to few.
A key solution to this problem is the promotion of Renewable
Energy sources. A step further to this, “Renewable Hydrogen Production “is
becoming more and more popular as a complete energy solution nowadays. In most
cases, solar energy is used as a mean to power an electrolysis process that
produces clean hydrogen. This hydrogen can be used as a fuel for cooking or for
other domestic applications. It is a clean energy source, that when burned
produces clean and pure water! In this way, we can help the environment and
also reduce our electricity/ natural gas bills!
In its simplest and
most compact form a Solar Hydrogen System can be implemented as part of a household’s
system. Photovoltaic panels integrated on the roof, will provide the necessary
energy for the electrolyser to produce the valuable hydrogen. This hydrogen
will be stored safely and used in a stove to satisfy our cooking needs!
Therefore, every time you would like to cook your eggs for breakfast the only
by-product of the cooking process will be clean water!
*Professor Maria Kolokotroni of Brunel
University and her group are working on the investigation of the application of
a Solar Hydrogen Production System for cooking applications in the domestic
sector. The project is funded by the European Union ACP Caribbean & Pacific
Research Programme for Sustainable Development, ACP/EU PROJECT 2012-2015co-ordinated
by the Technical University of Jamaica.
contact details: Evangelia.Topriska@brunel.ac.uk
contact details: Evangelia.Topriska@brunel.ac.uk
