Simulation and operational assessment for a small autonomous wind–hydrogen energy system

A case study with respect to the current trends in hydrogen technology and market developments is presented in this paper. The main goal is to design an autonomous, environmentally sustainable and zero emission power system using commercially available equipment. In order to achieve the optimum cost effective solution, its limitations are defined by simulating its performance over a year. A scenario is chosen which is representative of an area with significant wind potential, where the grid connection is relatively long or the construction of the line itself would irretrievably harm the environment. This study simulated the operation of a small, remote hotel primarily powered by a wind turbine and supported by a hydrogen energy system incorporating a medium pressure electrolyzer, a compressed hydrogen gas storage unit and a PEM fuel cell stack. The simulated load is biased towards a particular season as in the case of a small hotel for summer holidays. This arrangement takes advantage of the long period of low load during the “off peak” season, which enables the production of reserves of hydrogen to supplement the wind generated electricity during the “peak” season, avoiding the use of a large electrolyzer system, which is the most expensive and vulnerable component. The simulation results showed that for this particular system, a wind turbine rated at four times the peak load power associated with the optimum combination of an electrolyzer and a hydrogen storage unit would meet the electrical energy needs of a 10 bedroom, non-luxury hotel under the supervision of a load management controller.