PSCAD/EMTDC modeling and simulation of solar-powered hydrogen production system

Abstract

This paper presents an effective modeling and simulation scheme of solar-powered hydrogen production system (PV-SPE: Photovoltaic-Solid Polymer Electrolyte). Hydrogen can provide clean, reliable, and affordable energy supply, which can enhance world's economy, environment and security. In the coming decades, the world will need new energy supplies and an upgraded energy infrastructure to meet the growing demands for electric power and transportation fuels. Existing production technologies can produce vast amounts of hydrogen from hydrocarbons; unfortunately, they emit large amounts of carbon dioxide (CO 2) into the atmosphere. Renewable technologies such as solar and wind need to be further developed in order for hydrogen production to be more cost-competitive than other sources. In this paper, we focused on a renewable technology that can advance the commercial readiness of the solar-powered hydrogen production system. Software (PSCAD/EMTDC) based model of PV-SPE system is used to effectively simulate a hydrogen production system. To verify the simulation results, we implemented an actual PV-SPE system. The actual values obtained from the data acquisition system were compared to the simulation results.