Design and Modeling of a Proton Exchange Membrane Electrolyzer-Compressed Hydrogen Storage-Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Green Hydrogen Subsystem for Integration to a Solar Photovoltaic-Battery Nanogrid

A Photovoltaic-Battery-Green Hydrogen nanogrid system is designed and modeled to investigate its potential as a decentralized energy solution able to satisfy the load profile of Near Zero Energy Buildings. Such a system could potentially maximize self-consumption through onsite power generation, which also achieves minimization of dependence on the central power grid. The proposed system includes battery and hydrogen energy storage for various purposes. Such a combination could succeed in satisfying both the need for rapid power supply when needed (through battery energy storage), but it can also provide seasonal energy storage when the weather pattern of available solar energy changes between summer and winter (through hydrogen energy storage). The Green Hydrogen subsystem includes electrolyzer and fuel cell units, both based on proton exchange membrane technology, a hydrogen storage unit, and auxiliary components. The proposed system generates 110 kg of hydrogen per year, with electrolyzer and fuel cell efficiencies (at full load design conditions) at 58.4% and 45.8%, respectively. Self-sufficiency rate is close to 100%, while self-consumption rate is slightly below 48%.