Modelling and optimal design of hybrid power system photovoltaic/solid oxide fuel cell for a mediterranean city

Abstract

This work presents a hybrid power system consisting of photovoltaic and solid oxide fuel cell (PV-SOFC) for electricity production and hydrogen production. The simulation of this hybrid system is adjusted for Bou-Zedjar city in north Algeria. Homer software was used for this simulation to calculate the power output and the total net present cost. The method used depends on the annual average monthly values of clearness index and radiation for which the energy contributions are determined for each component of PV/SOFC hybrid system. The economic study is more important criterion in the proposed hybrid system, and the results show that the cost is very suitable for the use of this hybrid system, which ensures that the area is fed continuously with the sufficient energy for the load which assumed to be 500 kW in the peak season. The optimized results of the present study show that the photovoltaic is capable of generating 8733 kW electricity while the SOFC produces 500 kW electricity. The electrolyzer is capable of producing 238750 kg of hydrogen which is used as fuel in the SOFC to compensate the energy lack in nights and during peak season