Energetic and economic analysis of a stand alone PV system with hydrogen storage

Hydrogen might represent the energy vector of the future. Renewable energy could be used as a primary source for the production of electrolytic hydrogen near the end use point, making full use of local energy potential. In this work hydrogen use as energy vector for storage purposes is analysed. The paper examines the applicability of a stand-alone photovoltaic system equipped with hydrogen storage, with reference to a case study aimed at supplying electrical utilities of Engineering Departments of the Mediterranea University of Reggio Calabria. Hydrogen is achieved through electrolytic production, stored and converted into electricity using fuel cells. The study takes as a basis the features of the instrumentation present at the Energy and Environment Laboratory of the Department (electrolyzer input power, its hourly production, tank capacity, fuel cell power), optimizing the sizing of its elements chain with respect to electric load to fulfil.