Hydrogen is often referred to as the energy carrier of the future because it can be used to store intermittent renewable energy (RE) sources such as solar and wind energy. The idea of creating sustainable energy systems has lead, over the past decade, to several hydrogen energy demonstration projects around the world [1].
The main objectives of most of the hydrogen projects to date has been to test and develop components, demonstrate technology, and perform system studies on two categories of systems: (1) Stand-alone power systems and (2) Hydrogen refueling stations. In the latter category, the most notable project is the Hydrogen Project at Munich International Airport (H2MUC).
Most of the early RE/H2-projects have been based on solar energy from photovoltaics (PV). However, recently also wind energy conversion systems (WECS) have been considered to be a possible power source, particularly for weak-grid applications.
Applications:
1. SAPS—Stand-Alone
Power Systems
2. Weak power grids
3. RE/H2-refueling
stations
RE-Technology:
PV—Photovoltaics
WECS—Wind Energy
Conversion Systems
Institute for Energy Technology (IFE) has since the early 1990's been carrying out theoretical and practical research in the area of stand-alone power systems (SAPS) based on RE-sources and H2-technology [2-10], and joined in 1999 the International Energy Agency Hydrogen Program (IEA/H2) — Annex 13 Design and Optimization of Integrated Systems [11,12].
In the laboratory IFE is currently developing a 2nd generation prototype small-scale PV/H2-system consisting of Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) technology for both the water electrolysis and fuel cell, and a metal hydride (MH) for H2-storage.
System Analysis:
RE/H2-applicatons
Laboratory:
1. PEM Electrolyzer
2. PEM Fuel Cell
3. MH—Metal Hydride
Over the past decade there has been an increasing interest in system analysis of integrated RE/H2-systems, especially among those energy and utility companies that are trying to position themselves in the future markets of distributed power generation and alternative fuels. Therefore, there is a need for models that are suitable for dynamic simulation of such systems. There is also a need for models with a relatively high level of detail. One particularly important requirement is that the technical models can be coupled to economic models that account for both investment and operational costs. This is the background for the development of HYDROGEMS [13].
Models:
High technical detail
Dynamic
Modular & flexible
Copyright © 2002 Øystein Ulleberg
and IFE
This page was last updated
14 August, 2002
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