Modeling and Operation Control of a Multi-Module SOEC System

Solid oxide electrolysis cell (SOEC) technology presents a viable option for producing hydrogen on a large scale and for managing renewable energy. Due to the low rated power of an SOEC stack, an SOEC system consists of multiple modules, each containing multiple stacks. This characteristic was often neglected in existing studies. This paper investigates the modeling and operation control strategy for multi-module SOEC systems. A mathematical model is established for the overall architecture of the system, including SOEC modules and balance of plant (BOP). To enhance the efficiency of the system across various hydrogen production rates, an operational control strategy is proposed, which focuses on determining the optimal number of activation modules and air ratio. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed control strategy effectively maintains high electrolysis efficiency across a broad spectrum of hydrogen production rates, highlighting the advantages of multi-module SOEC systems in smoothing out the fluctuations of renewable energy generation.