Abstract
A stand-alone hybrid renewable energy system (HRES) comprising a photovoltaic (PV) array and a small wind turbine for energy production, a lead-acid battery for short-term energy storage, and a hydrogen subsystem for long-term energy storage is analyzed in this study. The hydrogen subsystem comprises a PEM electrolyzer for hydrogen production, a hydrogen compressor and a hydrogen tank for hydrogen storage, and a PEM fuel cell for power generation. Twenty-year hourly input weather data were acquired from the national meteorological service for the Mediterranean location of Split, Croatia. Two different end-user load profiles are considered, namely a year-around constant load profile and the stochastically variable load profile. Furthermore, a comparative analysis is performed for two different energy management strategies – one based on energy balance within the system, and the other based on double hysteresis loop control. The HRES performance is simulated using MATLAB. The dynamics of capacity loss of the batteries, PEM electrolyzer, and PEM fuel cell is a function of how the system operates, but at the same time, this dynamics of capacity loss affects the overall system performance. The double hysteresis control strategy results in a significantly longer battery lifetime for both load profiles considered, while the PV and battery loss of capacity causes more frequent electrolyzer and fuel cell operation for all considered cases.
Published Version
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