SPE regenerative hydrogen/oxygen fuel cells for extraterrestrial surface applications

The use of hydrogen/oxygen regenerative fuel cells in selected extraterrestrial surface energy storage applications is discussed. Continuous photovoltaic electric power for a lunar base, for instance, requires an energy storage system with a two-week charge and a two-week discharge cycle. The hydrogen/oxygen regenerative fuel cell system is projected to have a specific energy of 1000 Wh/kg or more. This is an order of magnitude greater than advanced batteries. As an additional benefit, the hydrogen/oxygen regenerative fuel cell integrates well with life support requirements. A slight oversizing of the electrolyzer subsystem of the regenerative fuel cell could supply all the required life support oxygen and hydrogen.>