Feasibility of Photovoltaic–Fuel Cell Hybrid System to Meet Present Energy Demand

Abstract

Energy demand continues to increase day by day. Energy crisis have to be met from alternative primary energy sources because traditional fossil energy sources such as oil, gas etc. are ultimately limited and the gap between demand and supply is increasing. Hydrogen, a clean energy carrier can be produced from any primary energy source.  Fuel cells are very efficient energy conversion devices. The purpose of this research is to practically model a fuel cell kit and simulate a stand-alone renewable power system, referred to as “Photovoltaic–Fuel Cell (PVFC) hybrid system”, which maximizes the use of a renewable energy source. HOMER, the micro power optimization model, is employed to simulate the PV-Battery system and PVFC-Battery hybrid systems. In the process of simulation, the total electrical load of Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET), Chittagong, Bangladesh is considered to meet its energy demand and to get optimal cost of energy, cost effectiveness and efficient power of PV-Battery and PVFC-Battery systems.