Design and analysis of a novel solar-wind based integrated energy system utilizing ammonia for energy storage

In this study, a new renewable energy based integrated system is developed where it stores the excess power generated in the form of ammonia. The developed system integrates both solar and wind energy resources. A dynamic simulation is performed considering the variations in solar radiation intensities as well as wind speeds across the year. The proposed methodology utilizes excess power available during periods of high solar radiation or wind speeds to synthesize and store ammonia that can be utilized for power generation during periods of low energy availability, through ammonia fed solid oxide fuel cells. Further, a reverse osmosis desalination system is also utilized for producing fresh desalinated water during periods of high energy availability. The system performance is simulated and analyzed thermodynamically on the average days of each month. The overall energy efficiency of the developed system is determined to vary between 46.1% and 53.3% across the year. Also, the overall exergy efficiency is found to vary between 34% and 41.5%. The ammonia fed solid oxide fuel cell is observed to have an energy efficiency in the range of 51.9%-80.8% and the exergy efficiency is observed to vary between 51.9% and 91.5%. The energy output potential of the proposed ammonia and solid oxide fuel cell based energy storage system is determined to be 28,463 kWh at the peak value, and the maximum daily fresh water production is evaluated to be 20891.5 tonnes/day.