Maximizing Green Hydrogen Production: A Comparative Study of Direct and Indirect PV-Powered Systems
Key Ideas
  • Indirect PV-powered hydrogen systems were found to produce 39.4% more hydrogen annually compared to direct systems, with higher resilience to module power losses.
  • The indirect configuration, utilizing electronics like a DC-DC converter and MPPT, showed an efficiency of 6.9% and injected 223 kWh more electric energy into the electrolyzer annually.
  • Direct coupling systems were reported to be economically advantageous due to the avoidance of electronic coupling system costs, but their energy efficiency was lower at 5% compared to 6.9% for the indirect systems.
  • In case of module power losses, the direct system experienced a significant reduction in hydrogen production compared to the indirect system, showcasing the latter's superior resilience and efficiency.
Scientists from Spain’s Technical University of Madrid conducted a study comparing direct and indirect configurations for PV and electrolyzers in green hydrogen production. The research, based on numerical simulations, concluded that indirect systems not only produce more hydrogen but also exhibit higher resilience to module power losses. The indirect configuration involves a power stage with a maximum power point tracker and a DC-DC converter, ensuring optimal power transfer from PV to electrolyzers despite incurring losses. The study showcased that the presence of MPPT in the indirect system allows the PV module to operate at its maximum power point for all meteorological conditions, leading to increased electric power transfer and hydrogen production. Through simulations, it was found that the indirect system injects 39.4% more electric energy into the electrolyzer annually, resulting in 37.5% more hydrogen production compared to the direct system. Additionally, the indirect system displayed an efficiency of 6.9% while the direct system achieved 5%. The study also evaluated resilience to module power losses, with the indirect system proving to be more robust and efficient in maintaining hydrogen production. The findings highlight the advantages of indirect configurations in maximizing green hydrogen production and efficiency.
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