Abstract
Two Hybrid Power System (HPS) topologies are proposed in this paper based on the Renewable Energy Sources (RESs) and a Fuel Cell (FC) system-based backup energy source. Photovoltaic arrays and wind turbines are modeled as RESs power flow. Hydrogen and air needed for FC stack to generate the power requested by the load are achieved through the Load-Following control loop. This control loop will regulate the fueling flow rate to load level. A real-time optimization strategy for RES/FC HPS based on Extremum Seeking Control will find the Maximum Efficiency Point or best fuel economy point by control of the boost converter. Therefore, two HPS configurations and associated strategies based on Load-Following and optimization loops of the fueling regulators were studied here and compared using the following performance indicators: the FC net power generated on the DC bus, the FC energy efficiency, the fuel consumption efficiency, and the total fuel consumption. An increase in the FC system’s electrical efficiency and fuel economy of up to 2% and 12% respectively has been obtained using the proposed optimization strategies compared with a baseline strategy.
Highlights
Renewable energy sources (RES) have earned particular attention in recent decades as a potential solution to the fossil fuels depletion and the forecast of rapid climate change [1], but current energy systems will not be able to handle future energy demand [2]
The behavior of the RES/Fuel Cell (FC) Hybrid Power System (HPS) operating without RES power under 7 kW constant load power is shown in Figure 7 using the Fuel-LFW-based strategy
Compared with the Fuel-LFW strategy, the Air-LFW strategy is better on FC energy efficiency
Summary
Renewable energy sources (RES) have earned particular attention in recent decades as a potential solution to the fossil fuels depletion and the forecast of rapid climate change [1], but current energy systems will not be able to handle future energy demand [2]. The worldwide energy demand will have increased by about 1.5 times from 2014 to 2040, so carbon dioxide emissions are likely to increase in almost the same measure. Over 47 billion metric tons are expected in 2040 due to the current fossil fuel consumption rate of 82.4 million barrels per day, which is projected to grow exponentially in the coming decades [3]. The energy generated from the fossil-based on petrol, coal and natural gas reserves will decrease quickly in the coming decades [4]. Solar and wind energy systems have the following advantages: solar energy is inexhaustible and non-polluting, and has no harmful effects on the atmosphere; wind energy
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