2016 Workshop on Next Generation Power Electronics for Enabling Large-Scale Deployment of Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies

NIST, Gaithersburg, MD

*Page will be updated frequently*

(December 19, 2016)

Proceedings Summary 

Agenda

Goals

Key Questions

Presentations

Overview of DOE Fuel Cell (FC), Water Electrolyzer (WE), and Wide-Bandgap (WBG) Power Electronics Programs

1. Allen Hefner 
2. Reuben Sarkar
3. Mark Ruth

Panel 1:  Fuel Cell Systems Requirements ‒ Dimitrios Papageorgopoulos

1. Ralph Teichmann
2. David Reale
3. Randy Petri
4. 30-minute discussion period

Panel 2: Water Electrolysis (WE) Systems Requirements ‒ David Peterson

1. Kevin Harrison
2. Monjid Hamdan
3. John Zagaja
4. Joseph Hartvigsen
5. Thomas I. Valdez
6. 30-minute discussion period

Panel 3:  Grid Integration Requirements for Generation, Storage, and Active Loads

1. George Berntsen
2. Charlie Vartarian
3. Guohui Yuan
4. 30-minute discussion period

Panel 3:  Medium-Voltage WBG Power Electronics for Grid Integration of FC and WE Systems

1. Jeff Casady
2. Fred Wang
3. Victor Veliadis
4. 30-minute discussion period

Discussion Session:  Discussion of Combined Answers to Key Questions ‒ Al Hefner

Key Questions for Panel Discussions:

• What is the relative cost of power electronics in the overall cost of FC and WE systems? What are the major costs in the power electronics components? 
• What are the practical limitations on FC and WE stack voltage and current? How does this vary with system size? 
• What are the time scales of FC and WE transient response for grid support and load following applications?  
• What are approaches for integration of WE with renewable power sources?  
• What are the grid interconnection requirements for FC generation and reversible electrolysis systems?  
• What are potential grid support applications where reversible electrolysis and FC generation systems might provide value?  
• How can power electronics improve the load following and grid support capability while also minimizing FC and WE stack degradation?  
• What power conditioning system and microgrid architectures including AC and DC circuits might be most effective? What are the trade-offs? 
• How can the Power Electronics industry help with the supply chain development particularly using the new WBG components?