Activity 1.3.1 Solar Hydrogen System VEX – Introduction A third of the energy used by people is used for transportation mostly for cars, – trucks, and planes. These are mostly fueled by gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel, which we get from petroleum. To use another source of energy like wind, solar, or nuclear energy, the energy must be Hydrogen storage and transportation stored so that it is available on the vehicle. U.S. Department of Energy Rechargeable batteries are one familiar technology for storing energy for later use. Another technology uses fuel cells with hydrogen gas. How would a car work? Equipment hydrogen automobile, see Activity 1.3.1a Solar Hydrogen Assembly Hydrogen fuel cell Solar module Distilled water Wires Multimeter or other probes for measuring voltage and current Light with a 120 watt incandescent bulb, or as recommended in the manufacturer’s instructions AAA batteries AAA battery holders Procedure Most of the universe is made out of hydrogen, but the hydrogen on Earth is chemically bonded to other elements. Hydrogen is bonded to oxygen, for instance, to make water: H2O. Pure hydrogen, H2, is a gas that contains more energy compared to hydrogen that has bonded with other elements. Hydrogen gas can be burned in oxygen to produce heat; in a fuel cell, this same chemical reaction occurs in a controlled way so that it produces electricity. Fuel cells require a platinum same material used in cars’ catalytic converters. Platinum is among the earth’s most expensive metals, and engineers and scientists are working to find ways to use other materials to decrease the cost of fuel cells. With this research, we hope one day to use hydrogen to store energy from other sources so that we can supply our electricity and transportation needs using alternatives to fossil fuels. In this activity your team will power a small vehicle using different power sources: a solar panel, a fuel cell, and a battery. You will use the electricity from the solar
Activity 1.3.1 Solar Hydrogen System – VEX Introduction A third of the energy used by people is used for transportation – mostly for cars, trucks, and planes. These are mostly fueled by gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel, which we get from petroleum. To use another source of energy like wind, solar, or nuclear energy, the energy must be stored so that it is available on the vehicle. Rechargeable batteries are one familiar technology for storing energy for later use. Another technology uses fuel cells with hydrogen gas. How would a car work? Hydrogen storage and transportation U.S. Department of Energy Equipment hydrogen automobile, see Activity 1.3.1a Solar Hydrogen Assembly Hydrogen fuel cell Solar module Distilled water Wires Multimeter or other probes for measuring voltage and current Light with a 120 watt incandescent bulb, or as recommended in the manufacturer’s instructions AAA batteries AAA battery holders Procedure Most of the universe is made out of hydrogen, but the hydrogen on Earth is chemically bonded to other elements. Hydrogen is bonded to oxygen, for instance, to make water: H2O. Pure hydrogen, H2, is a gas that contains more energy compared to hydrogen that has bonded with other elements. Hydrogen gas can be burned in oxygen to produce heat; in a fuel cell, this same chemical reaction occurs in a controlled way so that it produces electricity. Fuel cells require a platinum same material used in cars’ catalytic converters. Platinum is among the earth’s most expensive metals, and engineers and scientists are working to find ways to use other materials to decrease the cost of fuel cells. With this research, we hope one day to use hydrogen to store energy from other sources so that we can supply our electricity and transportation needs using alternatives to fossil fuels. In this activity your team will power a small vehicle using different power sources: a solar panel, a fuel cell, and a battery. You will use the electricity from the solar
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