Feasibility of renewable hydrogen based energy supply for a district

In this paper the feasibility of hydrogen based electricity storage for a district is evaluated. The district energy system (DES) includes PV and hybrid photovoltaic panels (PVT). The proposed storage system consists of production of hydrogen using the renewable electricity generated within the district, hydrogen storage, and subsequent use in a fuel cell. Combination of battery storage along with hydrogen conversion and storage is also evaluated. A multi-energy optimization approach is used to model the DES. Results of the model are optimal battery capacity, electrolyzer capacity, hydrogen storage capacity, fuel cell capacity and energy flows through the system. The model is also used to compare different system design configurations. The results of this analysis show that both battery capacity and conversion of electricity to hydrogen enable the district to decrease its carbon emissions by approximately 22% when compared to the reference case with no energy storage.