Hybrid energy system for hydrogen production in the Adrar region (Algeria): Production rate and purity level

Abstract The following work treat the prediction of the production rate and purity level of hydrogen produced by an alkaline electrolyzer fed by a renewable source in a hybrid energy system HES in the locality of Adrar in the south of Algeria. This work is made for different renewable energy penetration rate from 0% to 60% of conventional power (Genset generator). The cell electrolyzer model permits to predict the production rate of hydrogen with accuracy, according to operating parameters, climatic conditions and the load of the site of Adrar. The study permits to introduce a model of hydrogen purity level based on the operating parameters and the power supplying the alkaline electrolyzer. It also shows that the great influence of the intermittent energy supplying the electrolyzer on the production rate and purity level of hydrogen. The prediction of production rate and purity level by the models allow to obtain a distribution and storage of hydrogen produced according to predetermined selection criteria imposed by the operator. In the process of electrolysis, the oxygen is considered as by-product of the hydrogen production. The amount and purity level were estimated jointly. An HES-H2 production program under MATLAB®/SIMULINK® has been developed to simulate the hourly evolution of the production rate and purity level of hydrogen and oxygen produced by an electrolyzer for different penetration rate of renewable energies in an HES.