Research on non-grid-connected wind power/water-electrolytic hydrogen production system

Hydrogen has been recognized as the most promising future energy carrier. At present, industrial hydrogen production processes are not independent of traditional energy resources, which could easily cause secondary pollution. China has abundant wind energy resources. The total installed capacity of wind power doubled every year in the last five years, and reached 26 000 MW by the end of 2009, but over 9880 MW wind turbines were not integrated into grid because of the peak shaving restraint. In this paper, wind power is directly used in water-electrolytic process by some technical improvements, to design non-grid-connected wind power/water-electrolytic hydrogen production system. The system all works properly, based on not only the wind/grid complementary power supply but also the independent supply of simulation wind power. The large-scale fluctuation of current density has little impact on current efficiency and gas quality, and only affects gas output. The new system can break through the bottlenecks of wind power utilization, and explore a diversified development way of large-scale wind power, which will contribute to the development of green economy and low carbon economy in China.

► Wind power is directly used in water-electrolytic process. ► The water-electrolytic equipment works properly in test conditions. ► The change of current density has little impact on current efficiency and gas quality. ► The change of current density affects gas output.