Diamante

A result of Enel research, "Diamante" (Diamond) is a small and innovative solar power station, able to attract and accumulate solar energy as hydrogen and distribute electricity to customers continuously, even without sunshine. Diamante is 12 metres high, with a diameter of 8 metres, and can be assembled and disassembled easily and quickly. The potential of photovoltaic technologies, including solar thermal, could make Diamante trigenerative. It could, in effect, produce electricity, heat and "cold", by using alternatively or alongside each other, photovoltaic production and thermal production, possibly coupled to solar air-conditioning ("solar cooling").
 
The availability of a series of photovoltaic panels on the entire external surface of the Diamante allows the production of electrical energy, to be used directly or to power an electrolyser capable of splitting water into oxygen and hydrogen.
 
Accumulated using a metal hydride system in appropriate tanks installed in spherical homes within the Diamante, hydrogen can be used in a fuel cell to provide electricity even when solar energy is insufficient, such as at night or on cloudy days.

How does it work ?

Day phase : Solar energy is captured by solar panels and converted to electricity at a low voltage (48 VCC) to provide power to users. The portion of energy used is sent to an electrolyser that uses it to split water into oxygen and hydrogen, the latter is accumulated in a suitable tank.
 
Night phase : energy produced and stored during the day is used by a fuel cell which converts the chemical energy contained in the hydrogen into electricity, thus ensuring a continuous supply of power to users.