Dynamic operation and feasibility study of a self-sustainable hydrogen fueling station using renewable energy sources

To evaluate the dynamic operation and feasibility of designing and operating a self-sustainable hydrogen fueling station using renewable energy sources, dynamic system models have been developed for a hydrogen fueling station utilizing a proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzer and fuel cell. Using fueling and power demand data from an existing public hydrogen station in Irvine, California, dynamic analyses of the self-sustainable station have been carried out. Various control strategies are developed and evaluated to determine the impacts of control strategies and renewable capacity factors on the efficiency and other performance characteristics of the station. The simulation results and analysis suggest that with careful sizing and system design, a self-sustainable hydrogen fueling station that relies completely upon renewable sources for hydrogen production, storage and dispensing is feasible. Moreover, a cost and sensitivity analysis is carried out to evaluate the levelized hydrogen cost for different station designs. The cost of the hydrogen is determined to be as low as $6.71 per kg or $9.14 per kg when the station is powered by 200 kW of wind turbines or 360 kW of PV arrays, respectively. Copyright (C) 2015, Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.