Study of Hybrid Sustainable Energy System Based on PEM Fuel Cells and Photovoltaic-Module Power Generator

Abstract

The computer is the greatest innovation of the 20th century. It has changed our lives. It executes tasks with precision. There is no limit with what we can do with software. Computers are seductive. Companies and students cannot work without them. They help students to perform mathematical computations. It is very important that mathematical ideas are expressed in computer programs in order to have theoretical results and to verify them practically. Nowadays, the development of new and non-polluting energy producing and energy-storage systems is a great challenge for scientists. An alternative to the nuclear and fossil fuel power is renewable energy technologies. Due to ever-increasing energy consumption, rising public awareness of environmental protection, and steady progress in power deregulation, alternative (i.e., renewable and fuel cell based) distributed generation systems have attracted increased interest. There is an accelerating world demand for environmentally friendly power. Among the renewable energy sources, the Photovoltaic (PV) energy is the most promising candidate for research and development for large scale users. Fuel cells have been receiving a lot of attention lately due to their potential of becoming a new energy source with a large range of applications. Fuel cells can be incorporated with other components to create high efficiency industrial power plants. Fuel cells permit clean and efficient energy production. The purpose of the work is to optimize the system’s operation. The main reason to build described system is to supply stand-alone systems using renewable energy sources. Therefore, the power plant has to produce energy independent of any weather fluctuations. Integrating photovoltaic energy sources with fuel cells, as a storage device replacing the conventional lead-acid batteries, leads to a non-polluting reliable energy source. In this chapter, an energy system comprising different energy sources, namely PV and fuel cells, is proposed. Photovoltaic cells coupled with electrolytic devices can be used to produce hydrogen and oxygen in a sustainable manner. With the produced hydrogen from the electrolysis process, it is possible to generate electricity through fuel cells. Photovoltaic panels in particular can provide a good source of producing green electricity. It is autonomous, its operation does not pollute the atmosphere, and it is an inexhaustible and renewable source with great reliability. The simulation program developed also allows the exportation of different configurations. The experimental system described has permitted the validation of the proposed method.