Efficiency of hydrogen based storage systems for stand-alone PV applications: Numerical and experimental results

Photovoltaic (PV) technology is playing an important role as clean and long lasting electrical source. Energy storage is a prerequisite for using PV energy in stand-alone applications, in smart grid and for increase system reliability. Observing that today the hydrogen is an emerging solution as energy vector, PV-hydrogen system can be studied. The paper discusses the integration between the PV source and water electrolysis unit for hydrogen production and storage. Several configurations varying power load are analyzed. Numerical and experimental results are discussed in terms of source and system efficiencies. Tests aim to carry out the opportunities offered by the different system configurations.