Modeling, simulation and experimental set-up of a renewable hydrogen-based domestic microgrid

This paper deals with domestic microgrid modeling and simulation covering some aspects not fully addressed in the existing literature. Specifically, most of the reviewed generic models are suitable for long-term simulations but only considering steady-state and nominal operating conditions, which overestimate the energy outputs, hydrogen production and system performance. More specific models are capable of capturing the accurate dynamics of each individual piece of equipment. However, their complexity leads to a high computational burden making it difficult to implement an overall system-scope model including all the interconnected equipment for long-term calculations. This paper seeks to rectify the problem presented by the detected lack of medium-complexity dynamic models of renewable systems with intermediate storage, proposing a domestic microgrid solution composed of photovoltaics, metal hydride hydrogen-based storage with an electrolyzer, polymeric electrolyte fuel cell (PEM-FC), and interconnections with neighbor grids and electric vehicles. This model is validated with experimental data gathered from a pilot microgrid plant designed, built and operated by the authors, and matching simulated data closely. Copyright (C) 2013, Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.