A wind-power fuel cell hybrid system study: Model of energy conversion for wind energy system with hydrogen storage

• Main Author: Sobotka, Katarzyna
• Other Authors: Háskólinn á Akureyri
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: 2009
• Subjects: RES. The School for Renewable Energy Science; Renewable energy science; Orkumál; Meistaraprófsritgerðir; Endurnýjanleg orka; Akureyri
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/1946/7001

RES Master´s Thesis Verkefnið er unnið í tengslum við Háskóla Íslands og Háskólann á Akureyri Hydrogen, as a form of long term storage for the excess energy from renewable sources, is a technically and economically viable option. However, the technology is not mature enough to compete with the other renewable energy possibilities. In this thesis, a study based on coupling a wind-turbine with a fuel cell to improve the utilization of wind power is presented. A part of the energy produced by the wind-turbine is stored in the form of hydrogen and is then delivered for consumption at variable power through a fuel cell. A model was developed to determine the key technical parameters influencing the operation of a wind energy system with hydrogen storage. The model incorporates the simulation results of a 600 kW wind energy system with a 100 kW Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) and an electrolyzer. Dynamic modeling of various components of this small isolated system is presented for the period from 1.1.2006 to 31.1.2006. In this way, the energy availability can be estimated and is presented for hybrid installations. The study presents the technology of the system for each particular element. This study is a general introduction for the wind energy system with hydrogen storage. Future studies should be more complex and detailed in order to understand and model the system with greater accuracy and to increase the possibility for the utilization of wind energy to generate hydrogen. This would enhance wind power competitiveness and sustain the continuously changing world energy demand.