OPTIMIZATION OF PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEM FOR HYDROGEN PRODUCTION

• Main Author: Ghifary El Imam, Habibil
• Format: Final Project
• Language: Indonesia
• Online Access: https://digilib.itb.ac.id/gdl/view/65479
• Institution: Institut Teknologi Bandung

Hydrogen has the potential to be a source and energy storage medium because it is low in emissions, has a high energy density, and is environmentally friendly in the case of green hydrogen. Green hydrogen can be produced from renewable energy sources such as photovoltaic (PV) through the electrolysis of water. The processing system consists of a PV module, a DC/DC converter, a control system, and an electrolyzer. A DC/DC converter is required to match the electrolysis cell load to the PV system. The load synchronization method works by adjusting the duty ratio on the DC/DC converter switch based on the settings of the control system so that the PV operates in optimum power output. Alkaline solutions are used as electrolytes in the electrolyzer. This study aims to determine the optimum process parameters in producing hydrogen from photovoltaic energy sources based on technical analysis and economics through process modeling. Photovoltaic and electrolytic cells have a non-linear current-voltage (I-V) relationship. Optimization of process parameters is carried out through modeling and simulation of equivalent electrical circuits under dynamic conditions. Process modeling and simulation were carried out numerically using MATLAB/Simulink software. The optimization results are evaluated in the perspective of technical and economic analysis by calculating the price of hydrogen production based on the levelized cost of hydrogen (LCOH), energy efficiency, and the amount of hydrogen produced. This study has shown the effects of several operation parameters such as number of installed electrolysis cells, operating temperature of electrolysis cell, PV module configuration capacity, and also dynamics of irradiation and environment temperature. We determine the optimum condition through the optimum electrolysis power needed for a specific PV capacity. With DC/DC converter efficiency of 95%. The optimum power for electrolysis needed is always lower than the PV power until the capacity of 151,32 MWp. Using the most optimum condition, the price to produce hydrogen is capped at 13,08 USD/kg-H2 with electrolysis power needed is 1,15 times larger than the PV.