Analysis of an Energy Storage System Based on Regenerative Fuel Cells for Spacecraft
- Paper number
IAC-06-C3.2.03
- Author
Mr. Daniel Rosenberg, Israel Aerospace Industries. Ltd., Israel
- Coauthor
Mr. Dani Pinto, Israel
- Coauthor
Mr. Israel Schnitzer, Israel
- Year
2006
- Abstract
In the last year MLM/IAI has engaged in the study of PEM based Regenerative Fuel Cells (RFC) technology for electrical energy storage. The combination of RFC with photovoltaic (PV) cells provides a close-loop system of energy management, useable for satellites, air-ships and other applications. This article concentrates on the performance of RFC/PV based systems on satellites in comparison to state of the art NiH2 and Li-Ion secondary batteries. RFC/PV provides energy densities 2-3 times the energy density of Li-Ion batteries, allowing us to store more energy with lower weight demands. However, it has a lower electrical efficiency when converting power from the solar panels and current generation RFC's have a lower design-life when compared to NiH2 batteries. The analysis includes different spacecrafts in various orbits (LEO, MEO, GEO) and interplanetary missions, with different design-life specifications. Each spacecraft was examined in order to determine the performance of the satellite equipped with a RFC/PV system compared to its existing battery solution. Thus enabling us to find the optimal energy storage solution per spacecraft, measured by cost, weight and volume.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-06-C3.2.03.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.