Analysis of PEM hydrogen fuel cell and solar PV cell hybrid model

Abstract

The whole world is running on energy, where there is exigency to shift toward renewable energy sources. As the commonly used sources of energy are endangered and about to deplete. Introducing renewable energy will improve the environment from adverse effects of greenhouse gases; also, it ameliorates the economy of the country by providing new jobs in that sector. It also improves energy security by decreasing the foreign import of oils and many other things related to energy production. Among different renewable sources, sun is the potential producer of the energy. Fuel cells on the other hand playing significant role in energy production. Significantly, Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFC) playing momentous role in power generation. PEMFC’s employs hydrogen and air to supply electricity and water through electro chemical reactions. In this paper, we integrated solar power generation with PEMFC’s for efficient and continuous power generation. We have modeled Fuel cell of 6kW and PV cell of 1kW separately. The solar photovoltaic and Fuel cell model were first simulated separately and combined analysis were carried out using MATLAB Simulink. The developed hybrid model was also validated and its power output graphs were also analyzed. Thus, the hybrid systems are very much useful in remote areas where there is difficulty to get electricity.