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This page describes how the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) uses simulation models for developing renewable hydrogen systems. Such models, when fully developed and verified against operational data, can be invaluable tools for understanding the operational characteristics of renewable hydrogen systems.
Modeling can be used to size the components of a generating system to meet a particular load and to explore the costs and benefits of the system—before the system is built. In addition, models of different components of wind/electrolysis/fuel cell power generating systems aid in control system design. Learn about renewable electrolysis.
Detailed systems modeling and simulation under realistic operating conditions enable the comparison of the life-cycle cost for different system configurations. The maintenance and replacement of components contribute significantly to the lifecycle cost of systems. The electrical, chemical, mechanical, and economic performance of the system can be analyzed by creating a software model of the system. These aspects of system operation, which are clearly related to the selected control strategy, have to be considered at the system design stage.
System Control Strategies
The system controller has to respond to changing and dynamic operating conditions caused by fluctuating power supplied by renewable resources and varying load demands of the electrolyzer.
Advanced system control strategies focus on:
- Running the electrolyzer in its most efficient operating range
- Maximizing the utilization of the renewable resources
- Ensuring high reliability of the system
- Reducing or eliminating the need for integrated electricity storage in the system
Research Focus
NREL is developing concept platforms and developing and validating component and system models, system assessment, and optimization tools for a variety of renewable hydrogen system scenarios. Some of the tools that NREL uses for the analysis of these systems include H2A and HOMER.
Renewable resources can be used to produce hydrogen and electricity for a variety of end-use applications.
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