Configuration Optimization of Off-Grid Energy System Based on HT-PEMFC and VRFB

Abstract

In this paper, an energy system with high temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell (HT-PEMFC) as the core was proposed and analyzed, and the all-vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB) was used as the energy storage device, which made up for the defects of the system in meeting the load demand. The working principle and output performance of HT-PEMFC and VRFB were analyzed. At the same time, the relevant evaluation indicators were determined to explore the optimal configuration of the system, and the relationship between the fuel cell load rate and operating efficiency was analyzed. The upstream hydrogen consumption was also taken into consideration. The configuration optimization of hybrid energy system with fuel cell as the main supply power was discussed. The results show that when the fuel cell load rate is 22% and total efficiency is 41%, the total annual cost is the minimum. Compared with the full load condition, the system investment cost is increased by 212.5%, but the fuel cost is decreased by 41.7%. The overall system gain is obvious.

Keywords

• high temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell (ht-pemfc)
• vanadium redox flow battery (vrfb)
• benefit evaluation
• energy configuration