Modeling, analysis and design of Solar PV based hydrogen energy storage system for residential applications

Abstract

This research article presents the mathematical modeling, analysis and design of solar photovoltaic (PV) based hydrogen energy storage system with fuel cell for residential applications. The analysis is carried out for a rooftop solar power plant, considering the average annual radiation in Madurai city, located in the southern part of India. For performing this analysis, a mathematical model for polymer electrode membrane (PEM) electrolyzer, metal hydride hydrogen storage tank and PEM fuel cell is developed and simulated. A typical day time and night time load is considered. A detailed investigation is conducted on the production, storage and utilization of hydrogen for different operating conditions. For real time implementation of the standalone renewable system, design calculation is required to reduce the complexity in identifying the rating of all the components. To meet the residential load considered, the required number of cells in electrolyzer and fuel cell are calculated as 32 and 20 respectively. Moreover, the rating of PV panel required is 1.5kW and 4 numbers of 2000 litre capacities of metal hydride storage tank are needed. The response of the interconnected electrolyzer, metal hydride and fuel cell model were also discussed. This system is emission free and effective for residential applications.