Integration of fuel cell electrical source in renewable energy power system supply

The paper focuses on the performances of a PV source based electrical system. On the basis of technical and economic analyses, a traditional PV system, equipped with a battery of electrochemical accumulators, is compared with a hybrid system provided by fuel cell and electrochemical capacitor sources. In particular, the operating opportunities are examined and the reference indexes are compared in terms of performances, reliability and cost. Finally, through the life cycle cost methodology and the definition of an economic index, assessments of the systems are expressed with reference to the energy not supply (ENS) value, in order to define a useful tool for system design.