Performance analysis of a hybrid solar-hydrogen-retired EV batteries (REVB) energy system with thermal-electrical loops

Abstract

Utilizing solar energy is an efficient method to provide hybrid renewable energy system with sufficient thermal/electrical energy. Meanwhile, the rapid development of electrical vehicles leads to an excess of retired electric vehicles. As a combination of the abovementioned two conceptions, this study proposed and examined a hybrid solar-hydrogen-retired electrical vehicle battery energy system to meet thermal and electrical loads for small-scale usage. The novelty of this research is delivered as follows: first of all, the proposed hybrid energy system supplies both thermal and electrical energy to small-scale end users; secondly, the retired electrical vehicle batteries are recycling to relieve the pressure of battery demand; thirdly, an energy management strategy to regulate the complicated hybrid energy system is designed. The results show that with assistance of fuel cell as an energy storage unit, solar energy can basically satisfy the annual thermal/electrical load with maximum monthly energy supplement of 1220.43 MJ and 1572.75 kWh, respectively. However, the solar radiation serving as single energy source is not very reliable for large-scale utilization. Although the state of charge does not fluctuate greatly, the small range charge/discharge between 59% and 63% can still guarantee the normal operation of the proposed hybrid energy system.