Grid-connected hybrid energy system modeling and optimization study for green hydrogen production in South Africa

Date
2023-12
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Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study proposes a grid-connected hybrid energy system optimization model for green hydrogen production. The grid-connected hybrid energy system consists of wind and solar PV systems, which supply green hydrogen production facilitated by a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer. With the intermittent nature of wind and solar resources, the electrical grid supplies renewable energy to satisfy the electrolyzer load demand. The proposed grid-connected hybrid energy system optimization model is determined using a constrained multi-objective, non-dominated sorting genetic optimization algorithm implemented in Pymoo, an open-source Python framework. The optimization model aims to minimize the cost of electricity purchased from the electrical grid and maximize efficiency at high reliability. The cost of electricity and reliability are based on the time-of-use tariff structure and loss of power supply probability respectively. The non-dominated genetic algorithm successfully converges to a Pareto front solution set, and the optimal solution is determined, including the optimal performance parameters of the wind turbine and number of solar PV modules. The optimal performance parameters provide a guideline for choosing the optimal wind turbine model and solar photovoltaic module. For evaluation and validation purposes, the developed grid-connected hybrid energy system optimization model is applied to a case study of six renewable energy development zones in South Africa. A grid-connected hybrid energy system optimization model which takes wind and solar resources, as well as load input to calculate the optimal wind and solar energy mix is successfully developed. As a result, the optimal wind turbine, solar PV module and inverter as well as the number of solar PV modules that result in an optimal grid-connected hybrid energy system are successfully obtained.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie stel ’n rooster-gekoppelde hibriede energiestelseloptimaliseringsmodel vir groen waterstofproduksie voor. Die netwerk-gekoppelde hibriede energiestelsel bestaan uit wind- en sonkrag-PV-stelsels, wat groen waterstofproduksie verskaf wat deur ’n protonuitruilmembraan-elektrolyzer gefasiliteer word. Met die intermitterende aard van wind- en sonbronne verskaf die elektriese netwerk hernubare energie om aan die elektrolyzerladingsvraag te voldoen. Die voorgestelde rooster-gekoppelde hibriede energiestelseloptimaliseringsmodel word bepaal deur gebruik te maak van ’n beperkte multi-objektiewe, nie-gedomineerde sorteer genetiese optimaliseringsalgoritme ge¨ımplementeer in Pymoo, ’n oopbron Python-raamwerk. Die optimaliseringsmodel het ten doel om die koste van elektrisiteit wat by die elektriese rooster aangekoop word, te verminder en doeltreffendheid teen ho¨e betroubaarheid te maksimeer. Die koste van elektrisiteit en betroubaarheid is gebaseer op onderskeidelik die tyd-van-gebruik tariefstruktuur en verlies aan kragvoorsieningswaarskynlikheid. Die nie-gedomineerde genetiese algoritme konvergeer suksesvol na ’n Pareto-vooroplossingsstel, en die optimale oplossing word bepaal, insluitend die optimale prestasieparameters van die windturbine en aantal sonkrag-PV-modules. Die optimale prestasieparameters bied ’n riglyn vir die keuse van die optimale windturbinemodel en sonfotovolta¨ıese module. Vir evaluerings- en valideringsdoeleindes word die ontwikkelde netwerkgekoppelde hibridiese energiestelseloptimaliseringsmodel toegepas op ’n gevallestudie van ses ontwikkelingsones vir hernubare energie in Suid-Afrika. ’N Roostergekoppelde hibriede energiestelseloptimaliseringsmodel wat wind- en sonbronne neem, sowel as vraginvoer om die optimale wind- en sonenergiemengsel te bereken, word suksesvol ontwikkel. As gevolg hiervan word die optimale windturbine, sonkrag-PV-module en omskakelaar sowel as die aantal sonkrag-PV-modules wat ’n optimale netwerk-gekoppelde hibriede energiestelsel tot gevolg het, suksesvol verkry.
Description
Thesis (MEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2023.
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