The document describes the AUBELE project, which developed an autonomous LED street light powered by a hydrogen fuel cell. The goals of the project were to create an energy efficient and self-sufficient lighting solution for rural bus stops far from existing power lines. The system consists of a hydrogen fuel cell that charges a battery, with the battery powering an LED lamp. Simulation results showed the lamp could provide legal lighting levels with only 15W of power consumption. The hydrogen fuel cell requires refueling just once per year, demonstrating the autonomous operation and energy savings achieved by the AUBELE system.

1. AUBELE
A self-sufficient LED street light powered by fuel cells
- HarzOptics GmbH – an affiliated institute of Harz University -
Solid State and Organic Lighting (SOLED) | 11.-15.11.2012

2. HarzOptics – Research & Development
Products
• OPTOTEACH teaching system
• 3dB POF coupler / splitter
• Fiber lenses / fiber taper
• LED lighting
Services
• Optical metrology
• Research and development
• Consulting and project planning
Education and training
• Distance learning in optics
• Trainee education in optics
HarzOptics GmbH | Jens-Uwe Just | 11.-15.11.2012 | Solid State and Organic Lighting (SOLED)

3. Agenda
- Motivation / Goals
- System set-up
- Electrical part
- Optical part
- Simulation
- Results
HarzOptics GmbH | Jens-Uwe Just | 11.-15.11.2012 | Solid State and Organic Lighting (SOLED)

4. Motivation
Two main reasons for project AUBELE
1. Energy savings
• local authorities need to save costs and achieve climate goals
• LED lighting is the most promising technology
• Energy savings of up to 80% are possible
(depending on the previously used light bulbs)
2. Autonomous operation
• In rural areas, bus stops are often located outside of villages
and are relatively far away from the nearest cable route
HarzOptics GmbH | Jens-Uwe Just | 11.-15.11.2012 | Solid State and Organic Lighting (SOLED)

5. Motivation
Costs for cable / digging (example):
Distance of a bus stop
to the next cable route: 800 m
Price for cable installation
(including excavation work): 30 € / m
Costs in € for connection to the power grid: 24.000 €
HarzOptics GmbH | Jens-Uwe Just | 11.-15.11.2012 | Solid State and Organic Lighting (SOLED)

6. Goals / Lighting situation
Bus stop scenery
• 15 Lux: within 2 meters around the lamp
• 3 Lux: 10 meters on both sides in the direction of the street
• 1 Lux: 20 meters on both sides in the direction of the street
• 3 Lux: at the opposite side of the street
HarzOptics GmbH | Jens-Uwe Just | 11.-15.11.2012 | Solid State and Organic Lighting (SOLED)

7. Goals / Technical specification
• Compliance with the requirements of the lighting situation
• Minimizing the energy consumption of the lamp with LEDs
• Minimizing the hydrogen consumption
• Developing of a system based on a small fuel cell, a battery
and an optional, complementary photovoltaic system
• Design of an intelligent control system
• Ground recessed installation (resistant to vandalism)
HarzOptics GmbH | Jens-Uwe Just | 11.-15.11.2012 | Solid State and Organic Lighting (SOLED)

8. System setup
Block diagram of the AUBELE system
HarzOptics GmbH | Jens-Uwe Just | 11.-15.11.2012 | Solid State and Organic Lighting (SOLED)

9. Electrical part / Hydrogen fuel cell
• Hydrogen fuel cell:
water cooled Schunk FC 42 stack
• Designed as a hybrid system:
– Lamp is powered by battery
– Fuel cell works as a battery
charging system
• Frost-proof
Optional: photovoltaic system
HarzOptics GmbH | Jens-Uwe Just | 11.-15.11.2012 | Solid State and Organic Lighting (SOLED)

10. Electrical part / LED driver
• Self-developed circuit
• Microcontroller PIC
• Voltage-dependent PWM control
• Communication with fuel cell module
Optional:
• GSM-based radio, remote control and maintenance
• Radio clock
• Dimmable
• …
HarzOptics GmbH | Jens-Uwe Just | 11.-15.11.2012 | Solid State and Organic Lighting (SOLED)

11. Optical part / LED lamp
• Luxeon Rebel LEDs
• 8 LEDs, 2 of them equipped with lenses
HarzOptics GmbH | Jens-Uwe Just | 11.-15.11.2012 | Solid State and Organic Lighting (SOLED)

12. LED lamp
HarzOptics GmbH | Jens-Uwe Just | 11.-15.11.2012 | Solid State and Organic Lighting (SOLED)

13. Dialux pictures I
• hier Bilder von Dialux
HarzOptics GmbH | Jens-Uwe Just | 11.-15.11.2012 | Solid State and Organic Lighting (SOLED)

17. Results
• To fulfill the legal lighting requirements, the power
consumption of the LED lamp could be minimized to 15 W
 The AUBELE LED lamp is optimized in regard to energy
consumption, CO2 emission and light pollution reduction
• Hydrogen consumption: 60 l / year (1 bottle)
• Improved efficiency of management of the fuel cell system
• Self-monitoring of fuel cell, battery and LED lighting
• Optional: Integration of communications –
GSM-based radio, remote control and maintenance
Ready for sale – offered on demand
HarzOptics GmbH | Jens-Uwe Just | 11.-15.11.2012 | Solid State and Organic Lighting (SOLED)

18. Project partners
• EAB Elektro-Anlagenbau GmbH Rügen
Responsible for the housing and mounting system
• argus electronic GmbH
Responsible for the hybrid energy supply system
• Harz University of Applied Sciences / HarzOptics GmbH
Responsible for the development of the LED lighting system
This project was funded by the
German Federal Ministry of Economics
HarzOptics GmbH | Jens-Uwe Just | 11.-15.11.2012 | Solid State and Organic Lighting (SOLED)

19. Thank you for your attention
… any questions??
HarzOptics GmbH | Jens-Uwe Just | 11.-15.11.2012 | Solid State and Organic Lighting (SOLED)