Energy Conversion and Storage

African countries today are experiencing a crucial lack of electrical energy necessary for the proper functioning of their economy. The methodology to solve this problem must include both training, research, innovation, and development. Renewable energies (solar or photovoltaic, wind, etc.) abundantly offered on the African continent are mostly intermittent. The storage of this energy produced (solar panel case) during sunshine for night use remains a challenge. Although enormous progress has been made on systems for accumulating energy (over-capacities, accumulators, batteries, etc.), the storage of energy in the form of hydrogen through the electrolysis of water is a alternative of the future, since the stored hydrogen can feed a fuel cell to produce clean energy. And water is the only reaction product.

Hydrogen is a source of clean energy. Its use in the fuel cell to produce energy to power buildings (public and private), cars, is demonstrated. The fuel cell directly converts the energy of a chemical reaction into electrical energy. Alcohols such as ethanol can also be used in place of hydrogen.

Toyota Mirai: on the market (Toyota Hydrogen Engine)

It will be very useful for our countries to think about defining a renewable cycle adapted to our needs (isolated houses, dispensaries, schools, collective buildings, etc …) while including fields of advanced research and innovation in the training.
The principle of “fuel cell and water electrolyser” technologies is based on electrocatalysis and electrochemistry.
Dr. Têko W. Napporn is a researcher at CNRS, a specialist in the field, and since 1997 has developed nanomaterials for the conversion and storage of energy. Since September 2015, he has been visiting professor at the Institute of Advanced Sciences of Yokohama National University in Japan.