The PV-Hydrogen MYRTE Platform - PV Output Power Fluctuations Smoothing

Abstract

The MYRTE platform consists of a photovoltaic array, a fuel cells, an electrolyzer, tanks (H2, O2 and H2O), a thermal management system and electricity converters associated to various sub-systems. The aim of this platform is to study how hydrogen could be a good solution for storage energy associated to intermittent renewable energy sources systems, like photovoltaic plant, for electrical grid application, in an island context.This article describes the platform's way of operating and specifically the photovoltaic output power fluctuations smoothing, with the trapezoid profile shape, using storage methodology and his association with solar forecasting. The used approach is consistent with the specifications of the invitation to tender of the French Energy Regulation Commission, in September, 2011. Note that during the simulations, we have firstly used measured and not predicted meteorological data, and at this end of this paper the first estimation with our solar forecasting methodology.The main result shown in this paper is that the platform is compatible with this operational mode based on the power fluctuations smoothing. However, to minimize the use of hydrogen stored it is necessary that the supply of the trapezoid profile comes from the PV production rather than the fuel cells. A minimum part of 76% seems necessary