Load following power generation and power storage using REP and PEM technology

A hydrogen generation system for generating hydrogen and electrical power, the hydrogen generation system comprising:

• a power supply;
• a reformer-electrolyzer-purifier (REP) assembly comprising at least one fuel cell including an anode and a cathode separated by an electrolyte matrix, the at least one fuel cell configured to receive a reverse voltage supplied by the power supply and generate hydrogen-containing gas in the anode of the at least one fuel cell;
• a compressor;
• a hot water storage configured to receive, store, and output water having a first temperature;
• a cold water storage configured to receive, store, and output water having a second temperature lower than the first temperature;
• a heat exchanger;
• and
• a hydrogen storage, wherein:
• the hydrogen generation system is configured to selectably operate in a power storage mode, in which the hydrogen-containing gas is pressurized and stored in the hydrogen storage, and a power generation mode, in which the hydrogen-containing gas is used to generate electrical power,
• during operation of the hydrogen generation in the power storage mode:
• the compressor is configured to receive and compress the hydrogen-containing gas output from the REP assembly to be received in the hydrogen storage,
• the cold water storage is configured to output water to an inlet of the heat exchanger, and
• the heat exchanger is configured to output water to the hot water storage,
• during operation of the power generation system in the power generation mode:
• the heat exchanger is configured to receive water from the hot water storage and the hydrogen-containing gas from the hydrogen storage and perform a heat exchange to pre-heat and humidify the hydrogen-containing gas.