Parametric modeling of re-electrification by green hydrogen as an alternative to backup power

Abstract

Electricity backup systems are needed to address the temporary grid failure, short-term electricity supply at the locations without grids, power surges, and massive blackouts. These power backup technologies include a combination of batteries and generators operating mostly on fossil fuels. Concerns regarding instant start capability with generators, noise, and mainly due to carbon emissions have encouraged to look for alternatives with low carbon technologies based on renewable energy sources. Stored electricity from solar, wind and other renewable sources are emerging and cost-competitive alternatives to fossil fuels-based power backup systems. Due to the high energy density, unlimited production source, and easy storage and transportation, hydrogen is emerging as an effective and efficient energy carrier and its applications for an alternative to power supply systems. Hydrogen produced from the electrolysis of water by renewable electricity makes it green and has minimum carbon emissions among the other alternatives and operates in real-time startups with no mechanical noise. Fuel cell is a growing technology and has the potential to channelize hydrogen energy as an alternative to carbon-intensive power supply systems. In a fuel cell, hydrogen combines with oxygen and produces electricity. The fuel cell is a robust design with several parameters that control its operation and capacity. This paper identifies the parameter-based modeling approach to establish a connection of power demand with hydrogen production. A mathematical model for system sizing of hydrogen production and fuel cell for re-electrification for a reference case is developed.

Research Progress and Application Prospects of Solid-State Hydrogen Storage Technology

“…Take data centers as an example. Traditional diesel generator sets have a long start-up time (≥10 s), high noise (≥95 dB), and excessive exhaust emissions, while fuel cells can achieve instant response (≤3 s), silent operation (≤70 dB), and zero emissions, and can complement the grid and photovoltaics, extending the continuous power supply time from several hours to several days or even weeks [117][118][119][120][121].…”

Renewable Energy Sources as Backup for a Water Treatment Plant

“…Hybrid systems can provide a stable power supply in rough conditions by merging photovoltaic, wind generation and battery storage [28,29]. Fuel cells can also be considered if wind generation and photovoltaic are not able to supply a sufficient amount of energy and when green hydrogen is used fuel cells provides emission free energy [30]. In recent years, fossil fuel resources have decreased considerably around the world.…”