At the last SUNER-C Workshop, Leiden University brought the MyLeaf solar water splitting unit, which consists of a series of electrolyzers combined with a solar panel.
This unit demonstrates the combination of photovoltaic and electrochemical conversions for the purpose of electrochemical H2 production using solar energy. It is a complete standalone system, meaning that no external energy source is needed, to perform the water splitting reaction, other than the sunlight. A water tank, situated below the unit, provides the water to be split into H2 and O2.
The system has been designed and optimized in such a way that the operation takes place at the maximum power point of the solar cells. So that the power generated by the solar panel is fully utilized by the electrochemical cells. The generated H2 can then be collected and later used, when necessary, especially at moments when there is need for energy, but no sunlight. Alternatively, it can also be collected and used as a fuel for transport, under a large-scale setting.
This unit is a great demonstrator of how decentralized fuel and chemical production would look like in the future, and it triggers all the questions about the size and purpose of decentralization, the molecules to be synthesized, the risks, opportunities, scalability, safety and public acceptance.