A Dual Functional Solid Oxide Fuel Cell for Power Generation and Energy Storage

摘要

Large scale, cost-effective energy storage is highly desirable for balancing utility grid and renewable energy production. However, commercial scale demonstration of grid energy storage is generally lacking. Here, we demonstrate a bifunctional fuel cell/battery hybrid system that is capable of producing power and storing energy. The new system is comprised of a reversible SOFC and a redox-active metal/metal oxide chemical bed. During operation, the cathode of the system is constantly open to air, whereas the anode configuration defines the functionality of the system: power generation when the anode chamber is open to a fuel, and energy storage when the anode chamber is closed next to a neighboring metal/metal oxide chemical bed. The highlights in this paper include cycling performance at the temperatures of 500 and 750°C for closed and open systems, respectively. Strategies to achieve efficient and reversible hybrid system for simultaneous power generation and energy storage are also presented.