Solar Photovoltaic Based Water Electrolysis System to Generate Hydrogen and Oxygen

Abstract

Abstract: In this never-ending quest for finding an alternative or a solution to the current problems related to increasing energy demands and climate change, various research, progress and development have been made in the subject of environmentally friendly energy systems. On one aspect the conversion of water into hydrogen gas and oxygen gas by using electro-chemical process is an ideal method which can produce a clean and green fuel via: Sustainable methods and fossil free path ways. Hydrogen production by means of using various renewable energy sources such as solar energy, wind energy, tidal energy and hydro energy is a way to eliminate dependency of three systems on the electric grid. In this study which is based on a technique in which a fuel cell (ox-hydrogen electrolyzer) is connected to a Photovoltaic solar panel to produce clean hydrogen and oxygen gas as a fuel. The objective of this project was to develop a strategy and make this generation process independent of other energy sources. A DC converter is used in such a sequence which can control and supply maximum power to the electrolytic cell which is connected to the solar Photovoltaic panel, which in turn we can obtain maximum hydrogen gas. Also, various catalysts which are most commonly found or easily available in the market are experimented in this research to get optimum output. The converter and voltage regulator is also responsible for operating the electrolytic cell in its optimum functioning region to avoid over heating of the cell. The DC converter and the Electrolytic cell has been tested and simulated within indoor and outdoor conditions. Analysis of this setup based on maximum power tracking showed 85% efficiency