Title: An experimental investigation of a solar/wind 4 kW micro generation system and T-1000 1.2 kW PEM fuel cell

Authors: Kannan Jegathala Krishnan; Akhtar Kalam; Aladin Zayegh

Addresses: School of Engineering and Science, Faculty of Health, Engineering and Science, Victoria University, Footscray Park Campus, Building D 517B, Melbourne, 3011, Australia. ' School of Engineering and Science, Faculty of Health, Engineering and Science, Victoria University, Footscray Park Campus, Building D 522, Melbourne, 3011, Australia. ' School of Engineering and Science, Faculty of Health, Engineering and Science, Victoria University, Footscray Park Campus, Building D, Melbourne, 3011, Australia

Abstract: Hybrid system inclusive of renewable energy may be a key component for the solution of global warming, poor air quality, economic dependence, reducing-dwindling reserves of fossil fuels and also carbon tax in Australia. Firstly, this paper describes the experimental setup of wind/solar 4 kW micro generation system, examines the energy produced and various readings of monthly, weekly, daily and partially curves are recorded at regular intervals. The work shows notably the benefit of using wind/solar 4 kW micro generation system to reduce CO₂ emissions by implementing in every independent home in Australia. Secondly, this paper focuses on the experiment conducted by 1.2 kW PEM fuel cell system designed for communications backup power applications under laboratory conditions at the Power Systems Research Laboratory in Victoria University. The work shows notably the benefit of using H₂ and fuel cell system for the recent layout of National Broadband Network (NBN) in Australia proposed by the federal government ($43 billion project).

Keywords: T-1000 PEM fuel cells; EL 100 hydrogen generators; 3 kW wind turbines; 1 kW photovoltaic arrays; wind box interface; WBI; inverters; renewable energy; fossil fuels; microgeneration systems; wind energy; wind power; solar energy; solar power; Australia; carbon emissions; CO2 emissions; carbon dioxide; communications backup; power backup.

DOI: 10.1504/IJETP.2012.046025

International Journal of Energy Technology and Policy, 2012 Vol.8 No.1, pp.14 - 31

Received: 15 Jul 2011
Accepted: 17 Dec 2011
Published online: 27 Aug 2014 *

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