Systems Integration

The technological advancements and lessons learned through research, development, and demonstration of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies must be integrated to work as a fully functional system. This is the focus of systems integration—understanding the complex interactions between components, systems costs, environmental impacts, societal impacts, and system trade offs. Identifying and analyzing these interactions will enable evaluation of alternative concepts and pathways, and result in well-integrated and optimized hydrogen and fuel cell systems. The goal of systems integration is to develop (1) an integrated baseline (i.e., controlled parameters), (2) analysis results, and (3) options and recommendations to guide the efforts of the Hydrogen, Fuel Cells & Infrastructure Technologies Program. FY2004 efforts are focused in four areas:

Systems Integration Foundation. Establishes the basic foundation for systems integration in the areas of modeling and analysis, data and information (management plan), management processes and systems (developing change control and risk management systems), and human capital (building expertise).
Integrated Baseline. Establishes and integrates the technical and programmatic baselines. The technical baseline describes the system performance requirements that must be met to achieve the goal of the President's Hydrogen Initiative. For DOE's program these are the technical goals, which specify functional performance and costs of components and systems. Technical requirements from the technical baseline drive the work scope, budgets, and schedules in the programmatic baseline.
Analysis of the System. Develops the basis for analysis of alternative strategies, technologies, and systems for satisfying the functions and requirements of the future hydrogen economy and the program's progress against the plan. Mission analysis, functional analysis, and evaluation of alternatives are part of this effort.
Verification of Technical Performance. Establishes the process for evaluating progress and making recommendations based on review of system requirements and technology validation results.

To learn more about DOE's systems integration activities, see:

DOE Hydrogen Systems Analysis Workshop (SAW)