Effect of the Accumulation Capacity on the Energy Performance of a Green Hydrogen Production Plant

The article presents findings from an analysis investigating the effect of hydrogen tank capacity on the energy performance of a system that utilizes surplus energy from a PV plant to produce hydrogen via an electrolyser. The hydrogen thus produced is stored in a tank and then used to generate electric power through a fuel cell, which supplies energy to the load, thereby reducing withdrawals of energy from the power grid. This paper introduces the comprehensive mathematical model that has been developed to simulate the performance of the entire system, which includes a PV plant, an electrolyser for hydrogen production, and a fuel cell. Actual load profile and measured weather data annual series were used as input data for the model, in order to assess the PV energy production shares which are self-consumed, sent to the electrolyser, used to feed the fuel cell, or delivered to power grid. The objective is to conduct a preliminary performance analysis of a real plant which is going to be activated at the Mediterranean University of Reggio Calabria where, currently, the electrolyser and its control system are fully operational, while further adjustments are necessary for the fuel cell section.