Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Stand-alone PV-hydrogen energy system in Taleghan-Iran using HOMER software: optimization and techno-economic analysis

  • CASE STUDY
  • Published:
Environment, Development and Sustainability Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

One of the most attractive features of hydrogen as an energy carrier is that it can be produced from water. Hydrogen has the highest energy content per unit mass as compared to chemical fuel and can be substituted. Its burning process is non-polluting, and it can be used in the fuel cells to produce both electricity and useful heat. Photovoltaic arrays can be used in supplying the water electrolysis systems by their energy requirements. During the daylight hours, the sunlight on the photovoltaic array converts into electrical energy which can be used for electrolyzer. The hydrogen produced by the electrolyzer is compressed and stored in hydrogen vessel and provides energy for the fuel cell to meet the load when the solar energy is insufficient. This study investigates a stand-alone power system that consists of PV array as power supply and electrolyzer. They have been integrated and worked at the Taleghan renewable energies’ site in Iran. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s Hybrid Optimization Model for Electric Renewables simulation software has been used to carry out the optimal design and techno-economic viability of the energy system. The simulation results demonstrate that energy system is composed of 10-kW PV array, 3.5-kW electrolyzer, 0.4-kW proton exchange membrane fuel cell, 2.5-kW inverter, and 60 batteries (100 Ah and 12 V). The total initial capital cost, net present cost, and cost of electricity produced from this energy system are 193,563 US$, 237,509 US$, and 3.35 US$/kWh, respectively.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Al-Karaghouli, A., & Kazmerski, L. L. (2010). Optimization and life-cycle cost of health clinic PV system for a rural area in southern Iraq using HOMER software. Solar Energy, 84, 710–714.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Author (1998). Instruction for erection operation and maintenance for hydrogen generation and compression plant EV05/10 system. DEMAG, Germany.

  • Author (2003). Nexa™ (310-0027) Power Module User’s Manual, MAN5100078, Canada.

  • Author (2005). Solar Electric Products Catalog.

  • Author (2012). Report of renewable power generation costs, International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).

  • Connolly, D., Lund, H., Mathiesen, B. V., & Leahy, M. (2010). A review of computer tools for analyzing the integration of renewable energy into various energy systems. Applied Energy, 87, 1059–1082.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cotrell, J., & Pratt, W. (2003). NREL/TP-500-34648.

  • Cox, K. E., & Williamson, K. D. (1977). Hydrogen: Its technology and implications. Ohio, USA: CRC Press Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dutton, A., Bleijs, J., Dienhart, H., Falchetta, M., Hug, W., & Prischich, D. (2000). Experience in the design, sizing, economics, and implementation of autonomous wind-powered hydrogen production systems. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 25(8), 705–722.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • EG&GT Technical Services Inc. (2002). Fuel Cell Handbook. 6th ed., National Energy Technology Lab, U.S. DOE, Pittsburgh, PA.

  • Hollmuller, P., Joubert, J., Lachal, B., & Yvon, K. (2000). Evaluation of a 5 kWp photovoltaic hydrogen production and storage installation for a residential home in Switzerland. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 25, 97–109.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Isherwood, W., Smith, J. R., Aceves, S. M., Berry, G., Clark, W., Johnson, R., et al. (2000). Remote power systems with advanced storage technologies for Alaskan villages. Energy, 25, 1005–1020.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Karakoulidis, K., Mavridis, K., Bandekas, D. V., Adoniadis, P., Potolias, C., & Vordos, N. (2011). Techno-economic analysis of a stand-alone hybrid photovoltaic-diesel-battery-fuel cell power system. Renewable Energy, 36, 2238–2244.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Koutroulis, E., & Kalaitzakis, K. (2003). Development of an integrated data-acquisition system for renewable energy sources systems monitoring. Renewable Energy, 28(1), 139–152.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lau, K. Y., Yousof, M. F. M., Arshad, S. N. M., Anwari, M., & Yatim, A. H. M. (2010). Performance analysis of hybrid photovoltaic/diesel energy system under Malaysian conditions. Energy, 35, 3245–3255.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Moghbelli, H., & Vartanian, R. (2006). Implementation of the movable photovoltaic array to increase output power of the solar cells. International Conference on Renewable Energy for Developing Countries, Washington DC, USA.

  • NASA Surface Meteorology and Solar Energy, http://eosweb.larc.nasa.gov/sse/.

  • Nelson, D. B., Nehrir, M. H., & Wang, C. (2006). Unit sizing and cost analysis of stand-alone hybrid wind/PV/fuel cell systems. Renewable Energy, 31, 1641–1656.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Perez, R. (1991). The Schatz PV hydrogen project. Home Power, 22, 26–30.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rahman, S., & Tam, K. S. (1988). A Feasibility study of photovoltaic-fuel cell hybrid energy system. IEEE Transactions on Energy Conversion, 3(1), 50–55.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ramirez, A. M., Sebastian, P. J., Gamboa, S. A., Rivera, M. A., Cuevas, O., & Campos, J. A. (2000). Documented analysis of renewable energy related research and development in Mexico. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 25, 267–271.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ro, K., & Rahman, S. (1998). Two-loop controller for maximizing performance of a grid-connected photovoltaic-fuel cell hybrid power plant. IEEE Transactions on Energy Conversion, 13(3), 276–281.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shaahid, S. M., & Elhadidy, M. A. (2008). Economic analysis of hybrid photovoltaic-diesel-battery power systems for residential loads in hot regions-A step to clean future. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 12, 488–503.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sherif, S. A., Barbir, F., & Veziroglu, T. N. (2005). Wind energy and the hydrogen economy-review of the technology. Solar Energy, 78, 647–660.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shiroudi, A., & Hosseini Taklimi, S. R. (2011). Demonstration project of the solar hydrogen energy system located on Taleghan-Iran: Technical-economic assessments. World Renewable Energy Congress, Linköping, Sweden.

  • Shiroudi, A., Rashidi, R., Gharehpetian, G. B., Mousavifar, S. A., & Akbari Foroud, A. (2012). Case study: Simulation and optimization of photovoltaic-wind-battery hybrid energy system in Taleghan-Iran using homer software. Journal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy, 4, 53111–53121.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Technical Catalogue of Solar Module MA36/45, Optical Fiber Fabrication Company, Iran.

  • Ulleberg, Ø. (2004). The importance of control strategies in PV-hydrogen systems. Solar Energy, 76, 323–329.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zoulias, E. I., & Lymberopoulos, N. (2007). Techno-economic analysis of the integration of hydrogen energy technologies in renewable energy-based stand-alone power systems. Renewable Energy, 32, 680–696.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ministry of Energy-Renewable Energy Organization of Iran (SUNA), Tehran, Iran

    Abolfazl Shiroudi, Seyed Ahmad Mousavifar & Peyman Taghipour

  2. Linkoping University of Technology, Linkoping, Sweden

    Seyed Reza Hosseini Taklimi

  3. Environmental and Energy Faculty, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

    Peyman Taghipour

Authors
  1. Abolfazl Shiroudi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Seyed Reza Hosseini Taklimi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Seyed Ahmad Mousavifar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Peyman Taghipour
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Abolfazl Shiroudi.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Shiroudi, A., Taklimi, S.R.H., Mousavifar, S.A. et al. Stand-alone PV-hydrogen energy system in Taleghan-Iran using HOMER software: optimization and techno-economic analysis. Environ Dev Sustain 15, 1389–1402 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-013-9443-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-013-9443-3

Keywords

Search

Navigation