Photovoltaic-electrolyzer system transient simulation results
Brookhaven National Laboratory is developing an integrated test bed to illustrate advanced hydrogen technology. The first phase of this effort will investigate the use of solar energy to produce hydrogen from water via photovoltaic-powered electrolysis. A coordinated program of system testing, computer simulation, and economic analysis has been adopted to characterize and optimize the photovoltaic-electrolyzer system. This paper presents the initial transient simulation results. Innovative features of the modeling include the use of real weather data, detailed hourly modeling of the thermal characteristics of the PV array and of system control strategies, and examination of systems over a wide range of power and voltage ratings. The transient simulation system TRNSYS was used, incorporating existing, modified or new component subroutines as required. For directly coupled systems, we found the PV array voltage which maximizes hydrogen production to be quite near the nominal electrolyzer voltage for a wide range of PV array powers. The array voltage which maximizes excess electricity production is slightly higher. The use of an ideal (100% efficient) maximum power tracking system provides only a six percent increase in annual hydrogen production. An examination of the effect of PV array tilt indicates, as expected, that annual hydrogen production is insensitive to tilt angle within +- 20/sup 0/ of latitude. Summer production greatly exceeds winter generation. Tilting the array, even to 90/sup 0/, produces no significant increase in winter hydrogen production.
- Research Organization:
- Brookhaven National Lab., Upton, NY (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC02-76CH00016
- OSTI ID:
- 5148589
- Report Number(s):
- BNL-34081; CONF-840402-5; ON: DE84010217
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 6. annual ASME Solar Energy Division technical conference, Las Vegas, NV, USA, 10 Apr 1984; Other Information: Portions are illegible in microfiche products
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
08 HYDROGEN
ELECTROLYTIC CELLS
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER SUPPLIES
HYDROGEN PRODUCTION
ELECTROLYSIS
TRANSIENTS
DESIGN
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT
LYSIS
POWER SUPPLIES
SIMULATION
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
140600* - Solar Energy- Photovoltaic Power Systems
080101 - Hydrogen- Production- Electrolysis