Dynamic analyses of regenerative fuel cell power for potential use in renewable residential applications

A model of a solar-hydrogen powered residence, in both stand-alone and grid parallel configurations, was developed using Matlab/Simulink^®$\mathrm{Matlab}/{\mathrm{Simulink}}^{\circledR }$. The model assesses the viability of employing a regenerative fuel cell (RFC) as an energy storage device to be used with photovoltaic (PV) electrical generation. Other modes of energy storage such as batteries and hybrid storage were also evaluated. Analyses of various operating conditions, system configurations, and control strategies were performed. Design requirements investigated included RFC sizing, battery sizing, charge/discharge rates, and state of charge limitations. Dynamic load demand was found to be challenging to meet, requiring RFC and or battery sizes significantly larger than those required to meet average power demand. Employing a RFC with batteries in a hybrid configuration increased PV utilization and both battery efficiency and power density. Grid parallel configurations were found to alleviate many of the difficulties associated with energy storage costs and meeting peak demand.