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Researchers in Pakistan have tested several configurations of an off-grid hydrogen photovoltaic system intended to power electric vehicle chargers. The system achieved the lowest levelized cost of electricity when combined with battery storage.
An international research team has conducted a techno-economic analysis of an autonomous charging station for electric vehicles that uses solar energy and hydrogen as electricity sources and can also be coupled with a lithium-ion (Li-Ion) battery.
The analysis was carried out using the HOMER simulation program under the environmental conditions of the city of Jamshoro in southeastern Pakistan. “Hybrid PV-hydrogen and PV-hydrogen-battery are the two different scenarios that are carried out and compared based on both their technical and financial points of view,” the researchers specified, noting that the chosen location has a daily solar radiation of 5.53 kWh/m2.
The simulated autonomous station used an unspecified number of solar panels, each with a power of 327 W and an efficiency of 21%. They were assumed to have a 25-year lifetime and an annualized total cost of $118,618.74. The electrolyzer had an efficiency of 75%, a 15-year lifetime, and an annualized cost of $51,669.94. The proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell had a 40,000-hour lifetime and an annual cost of $20,667.72, while the hydrogen tank had a 25-year lifetime and an annual cost of $6,729.83.
This system was then compared to an identical system with a 1 kWh lithium-ion battery added, with a lifespan of ten years and an annual cost of $20,856.92. In both scenarios, the system has an electric vehicle (EV) load of 1,700 kWh/day. The EVs are MG ZS EV sports cars with a 44.5 kWh battery, which can receive a maximum charge of 22 kW.
Through analysis, the group found that the PV-hydrogen-battery hybrid power system has much more financial and economic benefits compared to the PV-hydrogen power system alone. “In addition, it is also observed that the energy costs of the PV-hydrogen-battery hybrid are more attractive, at $0.358/kWh, compared to $0.412/kWh for the PV-hydrogen hybrid energy cost,” the researchers further explain.
"The power produced by the PV-hydrogen-battery hybrid energy for the daily charging demand of 1,700 kWh/day, consists of two powers produced independently by the PV and fuel cells of 87.4% and 12.6%, respectively," the group stressed.
Their findings are presented in “ Techno-economic analysis of standalone hybrid PV-hydrogen-based plug-in electric vehicle charging station,” published in Energy Reports . The study was conducted by scientists from Mehran University of Engineering and Technology (Pakistan), Qatar University, Sharjah University (UAE) and Islamic Azad University (Iran).
"The conclusions of this study are an encouraging sign for the planning of a fully renewable system without connection to the grid using photovoltaic energy and hydrogen with a battery system due to its cost-effectiveness," the team concludes. |
