Stand-alone micro-trigeneration system coupling electrolyzer, fuel cell, and heat pump with renewables. (30th September 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cikatić Šanić, Domina; Barbir, Frano
• Is Part Of: International journal of hydrogen energy. Volume 47:Number 82(2022)
• Page Start: 35068
• Page End: 35080
• Publication Date: 2022-09-30
• Subjects: Renewable sources -- Fuel cell -- Micro-trigeneration -- Battery storage -- Thermal storage -- Hydrogen storage; Hydrogen as fuel -- Periodicals; Hydrogène (Combustible) -- Périodiques; Hydrogen as fuel; Periodicals; 665.81
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2022.08.090
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-3199

Abstract

Abstract: A micro hydrogen system in conjunction with renewable energy, namely a wind turbine, a photovoltaic array, and an air-source heat pump, is designed to satisfy the power, heating, and cooling needs of a stand-alone household in a Mediterranean climate. An hourly-based model is used to simulate its operation throughout the year. A unique power management strategy is applied to achieve optimum configuration and size of the components without shortage or excess energy. Unlike previous practices, there is no release of excess heat into the environment. An innovative combination of a fuel cell and a heat pump followed the household's electrical and thermal (domestic hot water/heating and space cooling) profile. Almost 80% of the energy for preparing hot water and household cooling/heating was obtained from waste heat from these devices. The system is compared to the most commonly used stand-alone hybrid renewable energy system with battery storage. The hydrogen system needs four time less batteries and it does not need a back-up diesel generator. Although the energy storage in batteries is more efficient than in hydrogen, the hydrogen system requires only 10% larger primary energy input than the system with only battery storage. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Micro-trigeneration stand-alone energy system designed and sized for a single family home. System uses hydrogen as seasonal energy storage. Waste heat from fuel cell and from heat pump used for domestic water heating. System size compared with conventional system with energy storage in batteries only.