Thermoeconomic Assessments of Green Hydrogen Production Via PV&PEM Electrolyzer:: A case study for Al-Jufra region in Libya.

Salem Yosaf; Hamoda Gnaifaid; Assad Mizda

doi:10.51646/jsesd.v13i1.172

Authors

Salem Yosaf Higher Institute of Science and Technology AL-Jufrah, Soknah, Libya.
Hamoda Gnaifaid Higher Institute of Science and Technology AL-Jufrah, Soknah, Libya.
Assad Mizda Higher Institute of Science and Technology, Mizdah, Libya.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51646/jsesd.v13i1.172

Keywords:

Hydrogen production, PEM electrolyzer, PV, Thermoeconomic analysis, Al-Jufra region (Libya).

Abstract

The study aims to estimate the amount and cost of hydrogen and oxygen that can be produced in the Al-Jufra region (Libya) using photovoltaic panels (PV). The electricity generated by PV is used to power the proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzer. Through the study, the thermal efficiency of the system is calculated, as well as the factors affecting it. The amount of solar radiation that the region receives during the year is also determined, amounting to 81.72 kW/year m2, with a duration of 3421 daylight hours. With this radiation value, it is possible to produce 1272 and 636 mol/year m² of hydrogen and oxygen, respectively, at an estimated cost of $1.42 per mole. Thermodynamic analysis of PV cells and electrolyzer shows that the electrical efficiency and exergy efficiency of PV cells are 4.8% and 5%, respectively, and vary according to the radiation intensity. The exergy and energy efficiency of the analyzer remained constant at 48% and 39%, respectively, according to the aforementioned arrangement. The decrease in the efficiency of PV energy efficiency affects the overall efficiency of the system and does not exceed 3% in ideal conditions. In addition, the expected cost in 2030 is estimated and found to be 5.77% lower than its current price. Comparing the amount and price of production in the Al-Jufra area with other areas in Libya, it becomes clear that the city of Al-Kufra has a 20% higher annual production amount.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Metrics

Metrics Loading ...

References

I. Dincer and C. Acar, "Review and evaluation of hydrogen production methods for better sustainability," International journal of hydrogen energy, vol. 40, no. 34, pp. 11094-11111, 2015. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2014.12.035

P. Nikolaidis and A. Poullikkas, "A comparative overview of hydrogen production processes," Renewable and sustainable energy reviews, vol. 67, pp. 597-611, 2017. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2016.09.044

S. Yosaf, H. Gniaifaid, and A. Abrahem, "Thermodynamic evaluation of hybrid sulfur cycle based on integration system for hydrogen production."

T. L. Gibson and N. A. Kelly, "Optimization of solar powered hydrogen production using photovoltaic electrolysis devices," International journal of hydrogen energy, vol. 33, no. 21, pp. 5931-5940, 2008. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2008.05.106

M. Ahmed and I. Dincer, "A review on photoelectrochemical hydrogen production systems: Challenges and future directions," International journal of hydrogen energy, vol. 44, no. 5, pp. 2474-2507, 2019. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2018.12.037

Z. A. Szydło, "Hydrogen-some historical highlights," Chemistry-Didactics-Ecology-Metrology, vol. 25, no. 1-2, pp. 5-34, 2020. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/cdem-2020-0001

K. Zhang, M. Ma, P. Li, D. H. Wang, and J. H. Park, "Water splitting progress in tandem devices: moving photolysis beyond electrolysis," Advanced Energy Materials, vol. 6, no. 15, p. 1600602, 2016. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/aenm.201600602

C. A. Grimes, O. K. Varghese, and S. Ranjan, Light, water, hydrogen: the solar generation of hydrogen by water photoelectrolysis. Springer, 2008. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-68238-9

C. A. Grimes, O. K. Varghese, and S. Ranjan, "Photovoltaic-Electrolysis Cells," Light, Water, Hydrogen: The Solar Generation of Hydrogen by Water Photoelectrolysis, pp. 485-516, 2008. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-68238-9_8

T. L. Gibson and N. A. Kelly, "Predicting efficiency of solar powered hydrogen generation using photovoltaic-electrolysis devices," International journal of hydrogen energy, vol. 35, no. 3, pp. 900-911, 2010. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2009.11.074

O. Khaselev, A. Bansal, and J. Turner, "High-efficiency integrated multijunction photovoltaic/electrolysis systems for hydrogen production," International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, vol. 26, no. 2, pp. 127-132, 2001. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0360-3199(00)00039-2

J. Jia et al., "Solar water splitting by photovoltaic-electrolysis with a solar-to-hydrogen efficiency over 30%," Nature communications, vol. 7, no. 1, p. 13237, 2016. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/ncomms13237

S. Yosaf and H. Ozcan, "Exergoeconomic investigation of flue gas driven ejector absorption power system integrated with PEM electrolyser for hydrogen generation," Energy, vol. 163, pp. 88-99, 2018. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2018.08.033

E. Ozden and I. Tari, "Energy–exergy and economic analyses of a hybrid solar–hydrogen renewable energy system in Ankara, Turkey," Applied Thermal Engineering, vol. 99, pp. 169-178, 2016. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2016.01.042

R. A. Ball, L. C. Purcell, and S. K. Carey, "Evaluation of solar radiation prediction models in North America," Agronomy Journal, vol. 96, no. 2, pp. 391-397, 2004. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2134/agronj2004.3910

F. Bannani, T. Sharif, and A. Ben-Khalifa, "Estimation of monthly average solar radiation in Libya," Theoretical and applied climatology, vol. 83, pp. 211-215, 2006. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00704-005-0157-9

J. F. Kreider and F. Kreith, Solar heating and cooling: active and passive design. CRC Press, 1982.

J. A. Duffie and W. A. Beckman, Solar engineering of thermal processes. Wiley New York, 1980.

S. Yosaf and H. Ozcan, "Thermoeconomic assessment of a solar-based ejector absorption cooling system with thermal energy storage: a case study for Al-Jofra city in Libya," International Journal of Exergy, vol. 29, no. 2-4, pp. 193-210, 2019. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1504/IJEX.2019.100363

A. Lazzaretto and G. Tsatsaronis, "SPECO: A systematic and general methodology for calculating efficiencies and costs in thermal systems," Energy, vol. 31, no. 8-9, pp. 1257-1289, 2006. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2005.03.011

M. S. Mecibah, T. E. Boukelia, R. Tahtah, and K. Gairaa, "Introducing the best model for estimation the monthly mean daily global solar radiation on a horizontal surface (Case study: Algeria)," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, vol. 36, pp. 194-202, 2014. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2014.04.054

J. A. Duffie, W. A. Beckman, and N. Blair, Solar engineering of thermal processes, photovoltaics and wind. John Wiley & Sons, 2020.

H. Li, Y. Lian, X. Wang, W. Ma, and L. Zhao, "Solar constant values for estimating solar radiation," Energy, vol. 36, no. 3, pp. 1785-1789, 2011. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2010.12.050

H. Ozcan and U. D. Akyavuz, "Thermodynamic and economic assessment of off-grid portable cooling systems with energy storage for emergency areas," Applied Thermal Engineering, vol. 119, pp. 108-118, 2017. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2017.03.046

S. Krishnan et al., "Present and future cost of alkaline and PEM electrolyser stacks," International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2023. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2023.05.031

K. Nishioka, T. Takamoto, T. Agui, M. Kaneiwa, Y. Uraoka, and T. Fuyuki, "Annual output estimation of concentrator photovoltaic systems using high-efficiency InGaP/InGaAs/Ge triple-junction solar cells based on experimental solar cell's characteristics and field-test meteorological data," Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, vol. 90, no. 1, pp. 57-67, 2006. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solmat.2005.01.011

A. Kribus, D. Kaftori, G. Mittelman, A. Hirshfeld, Y. Flitsanov, and A. Dayan, "A miniature concentrating photovoltaic and thermal system," Energy conversion and management, vol. 47, no. 20, pp. 3582-3590, 2006. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2006.01.013

M. Calderón, A. Calderón, A. Ramiro, J. González, and I. González, "Evaluation of a hybrid photovoltaic-wind system with hydrogen storage performance using exergy analysis," International journal of hydrogen energy, vol. 36, no. 10, pp. 5751-5762, 2011. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2011.02.055

İ. Dinçer and C. Zamfirescu, Advanced power generation systems. Academic Press, 2014. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-383860-5.00006-7

G. F. Naterer, I. Dincer, and C. Zamfirescu, Hydrogen production from nuclear energy. Springer, 2013. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-4938-5

M. Ni, M. K. Leung, and D. Y. Leung, "Energy and exergy analysis of hydrogen production by a proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzer plant," Energy conversion and management, vol. 49, no. 10, pp. 2748-2756, 2008. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2008.03.018

H. Zhang, G. Lin, and J. Chen, "Evaluation and calculation on the efficiency of a water electrolysis system for hydrogen production," international journal of hydrogen energy, vol. 35, no. 20, pp. 10851-10858, 2010. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2010.07.088