Technology and potential applications
Green hydrogen
Green hydrogen, generated by electrolysis with excess wind or solar power, is an ideal way to store energy. Hydrogen can not only be transported and stored, but is also the basis for the synthesis of fuels such as methanol and ammonia.
Furthermore, hydrogen is an important element in the process industry. Hydrogen has the potential to replace the coke extracted from hard coal for use in steelworks, thus effectively and sustainably decarbonizing steel production.
And when used as a“ fuel” for fuel cells, the controlled oxidation of hydrogen generates a lot of electrical and thermal energy. Both of these forms of energy can be used – and precisely when the energy is required.
Modular AC / DC converters increase the availability of electrolyzers
In electrolysis, electrical direct current is conducted through water or an aqueous electrolyte. As soon as the decomposition voltage is reached, the components of the water break down at the electrodes. Hydrogen is produced at the cathode and oxygen at the anode. A membrane prevents the two gases from mixing back together and forming an explosive compound.
Our AC / DC power modules convert the alternating current from the public grid into the DC electricity necessary for the electrolysis process. In addition, our DC / DC power modules can also supply the electrolytic cells from DC sources, such as PV panels.
Our modular DC power supply concept enables the creation of different topologies and supports the scaling of hydrogen systems. It is based on the combination of individual, standardized rack modules“ off the shelf” each with a power of 30 kW. The wide DC output voltage range of between 30 and 1000 V allows transformation to the different operating voltages of different electrolysis stacks.
In contrast to central megawatt converters, the modular concept enables the selective shutdown of individual electrolysis stacks in the event of malfunctions, whereby the overall system continues to run stably and reliably.
Stack 1( 120 kW)
Electrolysis system
Stack 2( 120 kW)
...
Stack 10( 120 kW)
Medium voltage MV
Low voltage
LV 4 x 30 kW
4x 30 kW
Modular supply of a 1 MW electrolyzer to increase availability and simplify maintenance. AC / DC units are optimally scalable to the size of the electrolysis stacks.
Phoenix Contact 13