Photovoltaic-electrolyzer system transient simulation results

Journal Article · Thu May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1986 · J. Sol. Energy Eng.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1115/1.3268086· OSTI ID:5482743

Leigh, R W; Metz, P D; Michalek, K

Brookhaven National Laboratory has developed a Hydrogen Technology Evaluation Center to illustrate advanced hydrogen technology. The first phase of this effort investigated 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 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, the authors 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 percent efficient) maximum power tracking system provides only a six percent increase in annual hydrogen production. An examination of the effect of the PV array tilt indicates, as expected, that annual hydrogen production is insensitive to tilt angle within +-20 deg of latitude. Summer production greatly exceeds winter generation. Tilting the array, even to 90 deg, produces no significant increase in winter hydrogen production.

• Research Organization: Brookhaven National Lab., Upton, NY 11973
• OSTI ID: 5482743
• Journal Information: J. Sol. Energy Eng.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Sol. Energy Eng.; (United States) Vol. 108:2; ISSN JSEED
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

08 HYDROGEN
080106* -- Hydrogen-- Production-- Biosynthesis & Photochemical Processes
14 SOLAR ENERGY
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140600 -- Solar Energy-- Photovoltaic Power Systems
BNL
COMPUTER CODES
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
CONTROL THEORY
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
ECONOMICS
ELECTRIC POTENTIAL
ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
ELECTROLYSIS
ELECTROLYTIC CELLS
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
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HOURLY VARIATIONS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDROGEN PRODUCTION
LYSIS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PERFORMANCE TESTING
PHOTOELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
PHOTOELECTROLYSIS
PHOTOELECTROLYTIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER SUPPLIES
POWER SUPPLIES
SIMULATION
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
T CODES
TESTING
THERMODYNAMICS
US AEC
US DOE
US ERDA
US ORGANIZATIONS
VARIATIONS
WATER
WEATHER