Cost-effective sizing of a hybrid Regenerative Hydrogen Fuel Cell energy storage system for remote & off-grid telecom towers. (20th May 2021) - Jansen, Gerard
Abstract: There is an urgent need to provide cost-effective, clean, distributed electricity to ensure reliability for mobile network operators in Sub-Saharan Africa. A comprehensive semi-empirical MATLAB/Simulink model of a novel low-pressure, solid-hydrogen based energy storage system combined with Solar PV and battery energy storage including dynamic losses of the power conditioning equipment is built. Levenburg-Marquardt least square algorithm is used for semi-empirical parameterisation of the metal-hydride and fuel cell models, simulations are performed using experimentally obtained telecom tower load data. The results show the overall system efficiency of the energy system drop from 21.05% for a Solar/Battery system to 17.43% of the most cost-effective hybridised system, which consists of 16.2 kW Solar PV coupled to a 10kW/40 kWh Li-Ion battery, and a Regenerative Hydrogen Fuel Cell (consisting of a 10 kW PEM Electrolyser, 1, 000 kWh Ti-based AB2 Solid-Hydrogen Storage Cell, and 5 kW PEM Fuel Cell). This system achieves a Levelised Cost of Electricity of 17.16 ¢/kWh compared to 73.40 ¢/kWh for a Diesel Genset, with a Net Present Value of $109, 236 and an Internal Rate of Return of 15.15%. Highlights: Solid-hydrogen storage for a single tenant, off-grid telecom tower is proposed. Semi-empirical parameterisation of Fuel Cell and Metal-Hydride are presented. Hybridising Li-Ion and hydrogen energy storage increases economic viability. Levelised Cost of Electricity of 17.16 ¢/kWh, Internal Rate of Return of 15.15%.