H₂ ECOnomy unveils a groundbreaking renewable energy combination

H₂ ECOnomy, an Armenia-based international high-tech fuel cell R&D company, unveiled a renewable energy system that it developed as part of the U.S. government's Global Initiatives for Proliferation Prevention (GIPP) project. Attending the opening and demonstration event were representatives of US National Renewable Energy, International Science and Technology Center, Republic of Armenia and US government officials, energy related non-governmental agencies and other dignitaries.

The system includes a photovoltaic module consisting of 30 PV panels capable of generating power of up to 4kW, a PEM electrolyzer with hydrogen storage tanks, a conventional UPS and a 1 kW PEM fuel cell backup power system developed and prototyped by H₂ ECOnomy.

During the daytime the excess electric power produced by the PV panels is converted into hydrogen by the electrolyzer, which is then utilized by the fuel cell system when necessary to generate electricity. This combined system provides backup / uninterruptible power supply to one of the laboratories at H₂ ECOnomy.

Developed in partnership with US National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the system is a concept and demonstration of the distributed generation for the future. It appears to be a unique installation in the entire region, including Eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union and the Middle East.

H₂ ECOnomy is a vibrant company leading the way to energy resources for the 21st century. Founded in 2000 and incorporated in 2002, H₂ ECOnomy has grown to become a productive research and development company. The company’s expertise encompasses conductive composite materials, catalyst chemistry, polymer chemistry, electronic design, embedded systems and system integration. Knowledge in these fields has led to the creation of fuel cells for the educational and demonstration markets, sold worldwide through distributors in the US, Europe and Asia. H₂ ECOnomy’s capabilities have been acknowledged by the receipt of a two-year US Department of Energy Initiatives for Proliferation Prevention (IPP) research grant, and its extension to install the subject matter system. The U.S. Department of Energy has provided US$ 620 thousand to H₂ ECOnomy for the IPP project, of which US$ 100,000 were used to create the combined renewable energy system.