Desigenia´s hybrid power systems with which base telecommunication station or off grid sites (without electrical connection) are powered are made by solar panels, batteries and generators sets to complete solar energy. Usually the spate limits

Normally, the space limitations of isolated telecommunications centers condition the installation of photovoltaic systems, preventing a fully renewable solution based on solar panels and batteries, which makes it necessary to place a diesel generator set.

In its evolution to implement renewable energy solutions and increasingly cleaner and less polluting, Desigenia implemented new solutions with liquefied natural gas generator sets in some facilities.

In its commitment to further reduce environmental impact, it has now developed a new hybrid power solution, hydrogen power systems, replacing generator sets with hydrogen fuel cells.

Background: TOGETHER project

After the participation of Desigenia in the TOGETHER project (Trigeneration with Geothermal, Hydrogen and Renewable Energies), the company has acquired theoretical and practical knowledge on hybridization of renewable energies with electrolyzers and fuel cells.

The TOGETHER project is one of the projects approved and financed by the Ministry of Science and Innovation, in its program of collaboration challenges of the state program of research, development and innovation. This project consists of the development and testing of a system composed of electric, thermal energy generation in the form of heat and in the form of cold, through the use of solar energy, geothermal energy and hydrogen.

The main feature of this project and the novelty, with respect to the rest of the hybrid systems that Desigenia installs in telecommunications sites for 10 years, is the storage of energy based on hydrogen.

Operation of the hydrogen energy system

When solar energy is sufficient, the electrical energy required by the installation is generated and is intended to meet demand (consumption) and the surplus is used to generate hydrogen through an electrolyzer. This electrolyzer is a clean, non-polluting equipment that consumes electricity and water and produces hydrogen. Hydrogen is compressed and stored in bottles.

When solar energy is insufficient, the fuel cell is started to produce the necessary electrical energy from the hydrogen stored in the bottles. Fuel cells are non-polluting systems that consume hydrogen and oxygen from the air to produce electricity and water. This would partially or totally complement solar energy.

In this way, Desigenia has developed this new hybrid photovoltaic system with hydrogen to install it in locations without an electrical network with a lack of space to install the necessary solar modules and replace the generator sets.

An alternative solution, totally clean and non-polluting and that is being carried out in isolated telecommunications centers without an electrical network.