Solar hydrogen hybrid energy systems for off-grid electricity supply: A critical review. (December 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Abdin, Z.; Webb, C.J.; Gray, E.MacA.
• Is Part Of: Renewable & sustainable energy reviews. Volume 52(2015:Dec.)
• Page Start: 1791
• Page End: 1808
• Publication Date: 2015-12
• Subjects: Solar -- Hybrid energy system -- Energy vector -- Hydrogen production -- Hydrogen storage -- Electrolysis -- Fuel cell; Renewable energy sources -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Periodicals; Énergies renouvelables -- Périodiques; Ressources énergétiques -- Périodiques; 333.794
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2015.08.011
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1364-0321

Abstract

Abstract: Large areas in many countries are populated but have no connection to a national electricity grid. Centralised electricity generating facilities burning fossil fuels have been the norm. Renewable energy resources, especially solar/wind energy, are now penetrating this sector. Long-term energy storage is the universal challenge in providing renewables-based electricity with high availability across the seasons. Here we review and discuss the use of hydrogen as the energy vector by means of which solar/wind energy is transformed, stored and made available as electricity. The dominant system configuration is presently photovoltaic electricity used to electrolyse water to produce hydrogen, which is stored as a pressurised gas or metal-hydride, then retrieved from storage to generate electricity in a fuel cell. We survey the demonstration projects reported in the literature and discuss the need for authoritative system modelling in order to size the system components for minimum cost at a designated availability of supply.