Techno-Economic Analysis of Grid-Connected PV and Fuel Cell Hybrid System Using Different PV Tracking Techniques

Abstract

Solar energy has attracted the attention of researchers around the world due to its advantages. However, photovoltaic (PV) panels still have not attained the desired efficiency and economic mature. PV tracking techniques can play a vital role in improving the performance of the PV system. The aim of this paper is to evaluate and compare the technical and economic performance of grid-connected hybrid energy systems including PV and fuel cells (FC) by applying major types of PV tracking technique. The topology and design principles and technical description of hybrid system components are proposed in this paper. Moreover, this paper also introduces economic criteria, which are used to evaluate the economy of different PV tracking techniques and seek the optimal configuration of system components. In the case study, the results show that the vertical single axis tracker was ranked 1st in terms of highest PV generation, penetration of renewable energy to the grid, lowest CO2 emission, highest energy sold to the grid and lowest purchased, and lowest net present cost (NPC) and levelized cost of energy (LCOE). The study found that the optimal design of a grid-connected hybrid energy system (PV-FC) was by using a vertical single axis tracker which has the lowest NPC, LCOE.

Feasibility Study for Off-Grid Hybrid Power Systems Considering an Energy Efficiency Initiative for an Island in Ecuador

“…Additionally, this strategy is optimal in power systems with a high renewable energy penetration, particularly when the demand exceeds the generation capacity. The LF strategy is widely used to reduce the fuel consumption in electric generators, which is beneficial for the environment [48]. Thus, the LF strategy was selected for the proposed simulations in this paper to maximize the renewable energy production and reduce emissions from the generator and its fuel.…”

Economic Analysis of Hydrogen Household Energy Systems Including Incentives on Energy Communities and Externalities: A Case Study in Italy

“…The r-SOFC can operate as a standard fuel cell and, alternatively, as an electrolysis cell [21]. The produced hydrogen is stored in appropriate vessels and used when the fuel cell operates in standard mode, producing electricity and heat.…”

“…Moreover, in recent years many studies were conducted with the aim to explore FCs flexibility, coupling them with a variety of renewable energy systems. Several different optimization models are used for on-grid [21][22][23][24][25][26][27] and off-grid [28][29][30][31][32] hybrid systems.…”

“…As previously detailed, most of the economic studies on simple m-CHP systems (i.e., non-hybrid) are focused on size optimization and on carbon savings, while there are a few fully integrated economic and environmental sustainability appraisals. Moreover, most of the studies for residential m-CHP systems, that combine SOFCs with renewable power sources (i.e., hybrid-CHP), are mainly based on optimization, sizing, operation techniques, and cost analysis are accordingly assessed [21]. Regardless, most of them miss an integrated and detailed LCA analysis.…”

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“…𝐶 e is the net cash flow throughout the period, 𝐶 g is the initial investment, is the discount rate, and is the duration of the analysis. Internal rate of return (IRR), another financial metric, is the discount rate at which the NPV of the project turns zero and could be calculated using the same relation and substituting IRR instead of the discount rate [48].…”