Recently, HuaDe Hydrogen Energy delivered a 70 kW stationary fuel cell power generation system to a client in India, supporting the client in establishing a hydrogen-electricity coupling demonstration project for the Indian government.

According to project information provided by the Indian side, "this project is one of the Indian government's green hydrogen microgrid initiatives. It is designed to meet various electricity demands of local residents within the demonstration area—including lighting and household needs—and is also capable of feeding power back into the grid when necessary. Furthermore, in terms of equipment configuration, this project boasts the most advanced specifications among numerous similar projects currently underway in India."
The CARNEU-70 fuel cell power generation unit supplied by the company to the Indian side for this undertaking is a product specifically custom-developed for this integrated hydrogen-electricity energy project; the system's key parameters are presented in Table 1.

In addition, the system features the following technical characteristics:

(1) Designed for Ultra-Low Gas Supply Pressure

To minimize hydrogen dead zones within the upstream storage section, enhance the hydrogen release efficiency of the storage system, and reduce both storage volume and cost, this system employs a low-pressure gas supply scheme. The gas supply pressure at the front end of the fuel cell system is 2 bar, while the internal operating pressure within the fuel cell stack is 0.2 bar, supporting a net system output of 70 kW. Through improvements to the air intake system and the fuel cell stack itself, the hydrogen release ratio from the upstream storage modules can reach as high as 99%.

(2) Employs a Multi-Stack Series-Parallel Configuration Supporting Hot-Swappable Replacement

The core of the system consists of multiple fuel cell stacks configured in a series-parallel arrangement, utilizing the company's independently developed 15 kW single-stack modules. Should one or more stacks within the module fail, the faulty stack(s) can be simply and directly removed for inspection and repair; meanwhile, the remainder of the system can continue to operate under reduced load, ensuring an uninterrupted power supply. Conversely, a brand-new stack can be directly inserted as a replacement, allowing the system to resume full-power operation with maximum speed and effectively meeting the user's power demands.

(3) Utilizes Stacks Specifically Optimized for Stationary Power Generation

Tailored to the specific operational characteristics of stationary fuel cell power generation systems, the fuel cell stacks have undergone significant optimization and improvement. Compared to stacks designed for automotive applications, the membrane thickness, catalyst loading, and bipolar plate thickness have all been substantially enhanced. Addressing the requirement for power generation systems to operate continuously under high voltage for extended periods, the performance characteristics of the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) catalyst under high-voltage conditions have been improved, and the hydrophilicity of the carbon paper has been enhanced. Furthermore, the gas tightness and electrical conductivity of the bipolar plates under prolonged operation have been bolstered, thereby effectively increasing the stack's durability and achieving an optimal balance between performance and cost.

(4) Adoption of Explosion-Proof Design

The fuel cell system is divided into explosion-proof zones: hydrogen-handling areas and non-hydrogen-handling areas. The hydrogen-handling areas utilize explosion-proof electrical components, while the non-hydrogen-handling areas employ a positive-pressure explosion-proof design. The system incorporates multiple protective features, including hydrogen leak detection, smoke alarms, over-temperature alerts, and video surveillance. It supports various functions such as remote monitoring, remote start/stop control, and power regulation.

(5) Implementation of an Intelligent Energy Management System

The system utilizes an intelligent energy management system independently developed by the company. This system intelligently controls the State of Charge (SOC) of the battery modules based on electricity demand, supporting a maximum system power output of 100 kW. Furthermore, the system supports two operating modes—"Electricity-Controlled Heat" and "Heat-Controlled Electricity"—allowing users to select the mode best suited to their specific requirements. During operation, the system enables real-time monitoring of various operational parameters, such as hydrogen consumption, net power output, and individual cell voltage.

Figure 4: Physical Appearance of the Product

In addition to delivering the 70 kW fuel cell system, the company provided the client with design and consulting services for a comprehensive hydrogen-electricity coupling solution—encompassing hydrogen production, storage, and power generation—playing a pivotal role in the client ultimately securing the winning bid.

Amidst the global wave of hydrogen energy, hydrogen technology has increasingly garnered the attention of the Indian government; consequently, both parties have signed a strategic cooperation agreement to pursue deeper collaboration in developing the Indian market.