Efficiency analysis of a solar photovoltaic array coupled with an electrolyser power unit: a case study |
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| Authors: | Abolfazl Shiroudi Michael S Deleuze Seyed Ahmad Mousavifar |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Ministry of Energy-Renewable Energy Organization of Iran (SUNA), Tehran, Iran;2. Center of Molecular and Materials Modelling, Hasselt University, Agoralaan, Gebouw D, Diepenbeek B-3590, Belgium;3. Center of Molecular and Materials Modelling, Hasselt University, Agoralaan, Gebouw D, Diepenbeek B-3590, Belgium |
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| Abstract: | Hydrogen as an energy carrier is one of the most potential candidates for clean energy and can be produced by water electrolysis. The use of 10?kW photovoltaic arrays for supplying a 5?kW electrolyser which consists of 10 series-connected electrolyser stacks and a 28% alkaline (KOH) solution electrolyte has been investigated at the Taleghan renewable energies site in Iran. The hydrogen produced by the electrolyser provides energy for the 1?kW polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell, which meets the load when the solar energy is insufficient. Variations of the solar radiation intensity, the hydrogen production rate, the solar hydrogen efficiency and the overall efficiency of the solar hydrogen energy unit were monitored in detail. The overall energy efficiency was found to range from 0.93% to 5.01%. The obtained results demonstrate the great potential of such a power system for producing and storing energy in a solar-belt country like Iran. |
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| Keywords: | Solar energy electrolyser hydrogen production energy efficiency |
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