Optimal Synergy between Photovoltaic Panels and Hydrogen Fuel Cells for Green Power Supply of a Green Building—A Case Study

Abstract

Alternative energy resources have a significant function in the performance and decarbonization of power engendering schemes in the building application domain. Additionally, “green buildings” play a special role in reducing energy consumption and minimizing CO2 emissions in the building sector. This research article analyzes the performance of alternative primary energy sources (sun and hydrogen) integrated into a hybrid photovoltaic panel/fuel cell system, and their optimal synergy to provide green energy for a green building. The study addresses the future hydrogen-based economy, which involves the supply of hydrogen as the fuel needed to provide fuel cell energy through a power distribution infrastructure. The objective of this research is to use fuel cells in this field and to investigate their use as a green building energy supply through a hybrid electricity generation system, which also uses photovoltaic panels to convert solar energy. The fuel cell hydrogen is supplied through a distribution network in which hydrogen production is outsourced and independent of the power generation system. The case study creates virtual operating conditions for this type of hybrid energy system and simulates its operation over a one-year period. The goal is to demonstrate the role and utility of fuel cells in virtual conditions by analyzing energy and economic performance indicators, as well as carbon dioxide emissions. The case study analyzes the optimal synergy between photovoltaic panels and fuel cells for the power supply of a green building. In the simulation, an optimally configured hybrid system supplies 100% of the energy to the green building while generating carbon dioxide emissions equal to 11.72% of the average value calculated for a conventional energy system providing similar energy to a standard residential building. Photovoltaic panels account for 32% of the required annual electricity production, and the fuel cells generate 68% of the total annual energy output of the system.

Potential of solar hydrogen production by water electrolysis in the NEOM green city of Saudi Arabia

“…Carbon emissions will lead the world into global warming and air pollution [5]. In order for the United Nations to protect the world, the Paris conference has been taken place to fight global warming and offer a friendly source for people, such as hydrogen [23]. Hydrogen has a high level of efficacy which is different from diesel or petroleum [24].…”

Hydrogen Fuel for Future Mobility: Challenges and Future Aspects

“…However, under the Net Zero Emissions by 2050 Scenario, this development falls well short of what is required. Furthermore, the demand for low-carbon hydrogen for novel uses is still confined to road transport [65]. An estimate of global hydrogen demand by sector published by the International Energy Agency (IEA) is given in https://www.iea.org/reports/hydrogen (accessed on 27 March 2022) [66].…”

Review on grain size effects on thermal conductivity in ZnO thermoelectric materials

“…Technologies such as fuel cells and solar cells produce clean energy with zero emissions and are more efficient compared to conventional combustion technologies. 4 To reduce the dependency on fossil fuels, the thermal source is preferred as alternative energy. As thermal energy can be sourced from solar, automobiles and waste heat from the industries, it incurs minimal cost.…”