Abstract
The feasibility and cost-effectiveness of hydrogen-based microgrids in facilities, such as public buildings and small- and medium-sized enterprises, provided by photovoltaic (PV) plants and characterized by low electric demand during weekends, were investigated in this paper. Starting from the experience of the microgrid being built at the Renewable Energy Facility of Sardegna Ricerche (Italy), which, among various energy production and storage systems, includes a hydrogen storage system, a modeling of the hydrogen-based microgrid was developed. The model was used to analyze the expected performance of the microgrid considering different load profiles and equipment sizes. Finally, the microgrid cost-effectiveness was evaluated using a preliminary economic analysis. The results demonstrate that an effective design can be achieved with a PV system sized for an annual energy production 20% higher than the annual energy requested by the user and a hydrogen generator size 60% of the PV nominal power size. This configuration leads to a self-sufficiency rate of about 80% and, without public grants, a levelized cost of energy comparable with the cost of electricity in Italy can be achieved with a reduction of at least 25–40% of the current initial costs charged for the whole plant, depending on the load profile shape.
Highlights
The strategic role of green hydrogen technologies in microgrids based on renewable energy sources (RES) is strengthening in the global decarbonization process
Design and assessment of the yearly energy performance are based on two parameters: kPV, which provides the PV size using the ratio between the annual energy produced by the PV and the annual energy requested by the user, and kHG, which determines the hydrogen generator size using the ratio between the hydrogen generator nominal size (PHG,nom ) and the PV nominal size (PPV,nom )
The hydrogen storage capacity is shown in terms of equivalent hours that the stored hydrogen can supply to the fuel cell under nominal conditions
Summary
The strategic role of green hydrogen technologies in microgrids based on renewable energy sources (RES) is strengthening in the global decarbonization process. In this context, their main distinguishing features are their storage capability, which can range from small scale (hourly or daily) to large scale (seasonal); the absence of greenhouse emissions; and the flexibility in following variable electricity supply and demand [1]. In the framework of the REMOTE project [4], a microgrid including a 170 kWp photovoltaic system, a lithium-ion accumulation system with a capacity of 600 kWh, and a hydrogen storage system of 1000 kWh is going to be installed in Ginostra, a small village in the Aeolian Islands (Italy).
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
