Grid-Tied Solar PV/Fuel Cell Hybrid Power System for University Building

Abstract

The results of an optimized design of grid-connected renewable energy system for University building are presented in this paper. Integrated modelling, simulation, optimization and control strategies are used to test the performance and select the best hybrid renewable power system. The main objective is to design a grid connected renewable energy system to meet the electric load of the building with high penetration of renewable energy, low greenhouse gas emissions, and low cost of energy. Hourly simulations, modelling and optimization were performed to determine the performance and cost of the hybrid power system configurations using load following and cycle charging control strategies. The results show that the grid-tied solar PV/fuel cell hybrid power system offers a good performance for the tested system architectures. With a solar PV capacity of 500 kW and fuel cell capacity of 100 kW integrated with the grid, the total energy generated from grid-tied renewable energy system to meet the desired load is 26% from the grid (purchase), 42% produced from the solar PV, and 32% from the fuel cell. From the total annual power produced, 95% is used to meet the AC primary load of the building and 5% is the sellback to the grid. The daily performance and electricity generation from the proposed grid-tied solar PV/Fuel cell power system is also presented in this paper. The proposed grid-tied solar PV/fuel Cell hybrid power system with the sale of electricity back to the grid has a high renewable fraction (40.4 %), low levelized cost of energy (71 $/MWh), and low carbon dioxide emissions (133 kg CO2/MWh).