Multi-Agent Direct Current Systems Using Renewable Energy Sources and Hydrogen Fuel Cells

Abstract

Shortcomings of electric power networks compared with DC networks in terms of stability, controllability, reliability and redundancy are noted. The article reveals the necessity of transition from digitalization in the form of automated process control systems to smart grids, and subsequently to multi-agent DC networks with a high degree of redundancy. In case of damage of one of the elements, these networks allow us to save the power supply to consumers and automatically restore the operation of the damaged element due to proven algorithms for diagnosing and restoring the original mode. Moreover, the article deals with application of distributed generation consisting of traditional and renewable energy sources, as well as accumulators and static converters. Characteristics of the above mentioned elements are given for simulating the modes in order to select the structure and control algorithms that provide an increased degree of reliability and invulnerability of power supply. Substitution schemes and analytical expressions of renewable energy sources and energy storage devices are proposed and described for mathematical modeling of regimes. The most promising solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) are considered. The commercialization of small and distributed energy has been constrained by the high unit cost of SOFC so far; however, their advantages are high efficiency and minimum environmental emission of flue gases. Prospects of introducing SOFC in the energy production is not obvious, however, in micro- and small-scale power generation, their commercialization abroad is a growing pace, in spite of the above limitations. So for 10 years from 2007 to 2016, their sales around the world increased 13 times with sales up to 480 MW. Russia has a huge domestic market for the introduction of SOFC which is estimated of 114 GW by 2035 with needs up to 44 million of micro capacities, hundreds of thousands of low power (up to 200 kW) and tens of thousands of more power units (over 2 MW). This volume of the domestic market allows transferring domestic developments in the field of industrial development and commercialization in the near future.