A unique bifacial PV and hydrogen-based cleaner energy system with heat recovery for data centers. (April 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Temiz, Mert; Dincer, Ibrahim
• Is Part Of: Applied thermal engineering. Volume 206(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-04
• Subjects: Arctic region -- Data center -- Renewable energy -- Heat recovery -- Sustainability -- Hydrogen -- Solar energy -- Energy -- Exergy -- Efficiency; Heat engineering -- Periodicals; Heating -- Equipment and supplies -- Periodicals; Periodicals; 621.40205
• DOI: 10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2022.118102
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-4311

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: A unique energy system for data centers in the Arctic is designed and analyzed. A time-dependent analysis is carried out. The Energy and exergy efficiencies, exergy destruction rates are investigated. An economical analysis is carried out to find the levelized cost of electricity. Abstract: A unique, solar-driven hydrogen energy system is developed for data centers in this study by specifically developed Arctic Regions and addressing three of the key sustainable development targets of the United Nations, namely affordable and clean energy, industry-innovation-infrastructure and climate action. A bifacial photovoltaic (PV) plant is integrated with an ammonia trilateral Rankine cycle heat recovery system, a proton-exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzer, and a PEM fuel cell system with the additional cooling stream. A case study is carried out for a data center with 11.2 MW electrical capacity in the Arctic Region, Norilsk. A time-dependent analysis is performed with hourly meteorologic and simulation data by considering commercially available solar components and actual meteorological measurements. Both energy and exergy approaches are used in order to conduct thermodynamic analysis and assessment. The overall energy and exergy efficiencies are found to be 23.42% and 24.33% for the average ambient conditions, respectively. An average of 2920.7 tons of hydrogen is produced annually, while 2728.7 tons of it are consumed. The data center consumes 92.2 GWh electricity with 172.3 GWh total annual energy demand, which is 100% met by the 175 MWp bifacial PV plant, 11.6 MW fuel cell, 109.1 MW electrolyzer and 375 kWp heat recovery systems. 100% self-sufficiency is reached by exploiting the arctic environment's unique conditions, low temperature, and high albedo with a uniquely designed integrated system by producing 17.6 GWh more electricity just from the bifacial gains and heat recovery. The LCOE for the grid-connected scenario is found between $0.0275/kWh and $0.0395/kWh, and for the stand-alone scenario is found between $0.0945/kWh and $0.1361/kWh.