The Tandem Cell is a self-contained modular device that splits water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen using solar power. Hydrogen Solar has initially committed to the design and installation of a 100sq.m array of Tandem Cells to produce hydrogen, with the BOC Group providing engineering advice, compression units and safety support during the process.
"We welcome the support of the BOC Foundation,” said Hydrogen Solar chief executive officer David Auty.
“This project will validate the Tandem Cell as a viable, low-cost and environmentally friendly method of generating hydrogen for both today’s industrial markets and for the future hydrogen energy economy.”
Once the first step is successful, the second phase of the project will demonstrate the effectiveness of the Tandem Cell array over six months at the Beacon Energy site at West Beacon Farm, Leicestershire. The array will produce hydrogen that will be used to power fuel cells, recharge electric vehicles and to provide heat and power for buildings on-site.
“We look forward to being able to demonstrate this technology in a real-world application here at West Beacon Farm, and benchmark this with our existing hydrogen production methods,” said Tony Marmont, Beacon Energy director
“The prospect of a panel on the roof of a house to produce emission-free motoring is a fantastic vision towards a zero-carbon society, and The BOC Foundation’s foresight is a catalyst for this vision."
One of the primary motivations for BOC’s support of the design is the wide range of small-scale applications available due to its modular design. BOC Foundation director Barry Beecroft endorsed the device, pointing out that flexibility would be the key to a hydrogen economy.
"The BOC Foundation is pleased to support practical demonstrations of renewable small-scale hydrogen production facilities,” he said.
“The Tandem cell is a good example of how hydrogen can be applied and will certainly add to the advancing hydrogen economy. The Tandem Cell shows great promise as a renewable hydrogen production method.”
