Evaluation of Hydrogen Generation with Hybrid Renewable Energy Sources

Abstract

Generating hydrogen by electrolysis in an alkaline system with a green power source consisting of wind turbines (WTs) and photovoltaic (PV) power is a promising and sustainable way to produce clean hydrogen to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This study utilized TRNSYS 16 software to perform a dynamic simulation of a hydrogen system. TRNSYS, which stands for Transient System Simulation Program, is a software package designed for simulating the dynamic behaviour of thermal and electrical energy systems. It is widely used to analyze and optimize the performance of various energy systems. This system incorporated a PV power source and a WT for electricity generation, along with an electrolyzer for hydrogen production. The analysis was carried out to evaluate variable weather conditions, specifically wind speed, solar radiation, and temperature. These factors have a direct impact on the system’s performance, influencing the available power as a consequential outcome. The results reveal that, given the specific climate conditions in the Markham zone, Toronto, the integrated renewable system is capable of consistently providing electricity and meeting the load demand throughout the entire year. However, it is noteworthy that on cold days when solar radiation is limited, the WT emerges as the most effective and efficient power source. The analysis also indicates that the system reliably supplies enough energy to meet the laboratory’s load demand. Moreover, the system’s performance is particularly impressive with the WT as the power source, as it can generate a maximum of 9.03 kg of hydrogen per month. In contrast, the PV power source yields only 0.58 kg H2. Additionally, the cost per kilogram of hydrogen (kg H2) is considerably lower when the WT is used, at USD 0.55/kg H2, while it rises to USD 1.5/kg H2 when PV is the power source. These findings underscore the significance of using the most suitable power source, such as a WT, in specific climatic conditions and regions in terms of both performance and cost-effectiveness.

Keywords

• water electrolysis
• hydrogen production
• renewable energy
• solar power
• wind turbine
• TRNSYS