Fuel cell as an effective energy storage in reverse osmosis desalination plant powered by photovoltaic system

Abstract

A hybrid renewable energy systems (HRESs) comprises of photovoltaic (PV), and self-charging fuel cells (SCFC) is designed for securing electrical energy required to operate brackish water pumping (BWP) and reverse osmosis desalination (RO) plant of 150 m 3 d-1 for irrigation purposes in remote areas. An optimal configuration of the proposed design is determined based on minimum cost of energy (COE) and the minimum total net present cost (NPC). Moreover, a comparison with a stand-alone diesel generation (DG) or grid extension is carried out against the optimal configuration of PV/SCFC HRES. The modeling, simulation, and techno-economic evaluation of the different proposed systems, including the PV/SCFC system are done using HOMER software. Results show that PV array (66 kW), FC (9 kW), converter (25 KW)-Electrolyzer (15 kW), Hydrogen cylinder (70 kg) are the viable economic option with a total NPC of $115,649 and $0.062 unit cost of electricity. The COE for the standalone DG system is 0.206 $/kWh, which is 69.90 % higher than that of the PV/SCFC system. The PV/SCFC system is cheaper than grid extension. This study opens the way for using a fuel cell as an effective method for solving the energy intermittence/storage problems of renewable energy sources.

An Optimal Sizing of Stand-Alone Hybrid PV-Fuel Cell-Battery to Desalinate Seawater at Saudi NEOM City

“…Solar PV energy systems are usually hybrid with other systems; batteries, diesel generators, and/or fuel cells with hydrogen tanks [13]. Due to the nature of solar energy which depends on weather conditions, cloudy or not, day and night, applications are limited by limited time periods that depend on solar energy availability [14][15][16].…”

“…Lead-acid batteries have disadvantages i.e., short lifetime, high cost of replacement, its performance affected by low/high air temperature and environmental concerns with used batteries [13]. Additionally, diesel generator systems have some limitations i.e., high operating and maintenance costs, high noise, pollution, cost of fuel, and transportation [14].…”

“…Electrochemical devices are used to convert directly the chemical energy into electrical energy, known as fuel cells (FC). The advantages of using FC can be listed as working with high efficiency, silent devices, low/no environmental impact, and small size when compared with other energy conversion devices [14][15][16][17][18][19]. Water FC/electrolyzer systems are used as high storage devices which are the best storage systems due to its low cost, high efficiency, easy integration with other hybrid systems, and environmental impact [20].…”

An efficient single‐sensor global maximum power point tracking method for partially shaded photovoltaic battery chargers

“…[1][2][3][4] Right now, the current situation of the energy sources, used in the power generation, is showing severe problems in many types of energy sources. [7][8][9] Recently, many attempts were presented to enhance the efficacy of the photovoltaic (PV) technology depending on improving the semiconductor materials and improving the electronic interface circuit with the external load to increase the harvested energy. 5,6 The most important advantages of these sources are cleanness, environmental protection, availability, and reliability.…”

“…5,6 The most important advantages of these sources are cleanness, environmental protection, availability, and reliability. [7][8][9] Recently, many attempts were presented to enhance the efficacy of the photovoltaic (PV) technology depending on improving the semiconductor materials and improving the electronic interface circuit with the external load to increase the harvested energy. The efficiency of electric power generation based on the PV system (PVS) is low.…”