Modeling and analysis of solar photovoltaic-electrolyzer-fuel cell hybrid power system integrated with a floriculture greenhouse

Abstract This paper presents the modeling and analysis of a greenhouse-integrated power system consisting of solar photovoltaic panels, electrolyzer bank and Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) fuel cell stacks. Electric power is generated in an array of solar photovoltaic modules. Excess energy after meeting the requirements of the greenhouse during peak sunshine hours, is supplied to an electrolyzer bank to generate hydrogen gas, which is consumed by the PEM fuel cell stack to support the power requirement during the energy deficit hours. The predicted performance of the integrated system is presented for different climatic conditions, for a given location (Kolkata) in the Indian subcontinent. The study reveals that 51 solar photovoltaic modules each of 75 W p along with a 3.3 kW electrolyzer and 2 PEM fuel cell stacks, each of 480 W, can support the energy requirement of a 90 m 2 floriculture greenhouse with fan-pad ventilated system. The study shows that this integrated power system provides a viable option for powering stand-alone greenhouses in a self-sustained manner.

[1]  Weixiang Shen,et al.  Optimally sizing of solar array and battery in a standalone photovoltaic system in Malaysia , 2009 .

[2]  Rachid Chenni,et al.  A detailed modeling method for photovoltaic cells , 2007 .

[3]  J. Andrews,et al.  Optimal coupling of PV arrays to PEM electrolysers in solar–hydrogen systems for remote area power supply , 2008 .

[4]  Sudipto Ghosh,et al.  Modeling and analysis of a fan–pad ventilated floricultural greenhouse , 2007 .

[5]  Peter Wild,et al.  Development of a dynamic regenerative fuel cell system , 2007 .

[6]  Sonia Leva,et al.  Hybrid Renewable Energy-Fuel Cell System: design and performance evaluation , 2009 .

[7]  Marcus Nagle,et al.  Experimental and simulated performance of a PV-ventilated solar greenhouse dryer for drying of peeled longan and banana , 2009 .

[8]  Robert F. Boehm,et al.  Review of modeling details related to renewably powered hydrogen systems , 2008 .

[9]  S. P Sukhatme,et al.  Solar Energy: Principles of Thermal Collection and Storage , 2009 .

[10]  Mehmet Uzunoglu,et al.  Modeling, control and simulation of a PV/FC/UC based hybrid power generation system for stand-alone applications , 2009 .

[11]  Michael Kimble,et al.  Solar-powered regenerative PEM electrolyzer/fuel cell system , 2005 .

[12]  David Infield,et al.  Electrical integration of renewable energy into stand-alone power supplies incorporating hydrogen storage , 2007 .

[13]  Mohammad S. Alam,et al.  Reliability modeling and analysis of stand-alone PEM fuel cell power plants * , 2006 .

[14]  H. Salehfar,et al.  Semiempirical model based on thermodynamic principles for determining 6 kW proton exchange membrane electrolyzer stack characteristics , 2008 .

[15]  Anna G. Stefanopoulou,et al.  Control of Fuel Cell Power Systems: Principles, Modeling, Analysis and Feedback Design , 2004 .

[16]  Jeremy Lagorse,et al.  Sizing optimization of a stand-alone street lighting system powered by a hybrid system using fuel cell, PV and battery , 2009 .

[17]  Jacob Brouwer,et al.  Dynamic modeling of hybrid energy storage systems coupled to photovoltaic generation in residential applications , 2007 .

[18]  Saifur Rahman,et al.  Battery or fuel cell support for an autonomous photovoltaic power system , 1998 .

[19]  M. T. Elhagry,et al.  Hybrid PV/fuel cell system design and simulation , 2002 .

[20]  Design and simulation of the power control system of a plant for the generation of hydrogen via electrolysis, using photovoltaic solar energy , 2007 .

[21]  Guangyi Cao,et al.  Dynamic modeling and sizing optimization of stand-alone photovoltaic power systems using hybrid energy storage technology , 2009 .

[22]  Ali Naci Celik,et al.  Modelling and experimental verification of the operating current of mono-crystalline photovoltaic modules using four- and five-parameter models , 2007 .

[23]  S. Galli,et al.  Development of a solar-hydrogen cycle in Italy , 1997 .

[24]  R. O’Hayre,et al.  Fuel Cell Fundamentals , 2005 .

[25]  Nelson A. Kelly,et al.  A solar-powered, high-efficiency hydrogen fueling system using high-pressure electrolysis of water: Design and initial results , 2008 .

[26]  Sujata Nayak,et al.  Theoretical performance assessment of an integrated photovoltaic and earth air heat exchanger greenhouse using energy and exergy analysis methods , 2009 .

[27]  F. Barbir.  PEM electrolysis for production of hydrogen from renewable energy sources , 2005 .

[28]  Haralambos Sarimveis,et al.  Model-based optimal control of a hybrid power generation system consisting of photovoltaic arrays and fuel cells , 2008 .

[29]  S. Ghosh,et al.  Model development and experimental validation of a floriculture greenhouse under natural ventilation , 2009 .