Stand-alone wind energy system

Figure 5.6 depicts a typical stand-alone wind energy system, which serves AC loads. When the storage unit is full and the load demand is lower than the power production, the... 

For each wind energy system category, there is a particular approach of how to apply an electrolyzing hydrogen production unit. The most common application studied currently is the stand-alone wind energy system combined with an electrolyzer. The latter is connected in the place of the battery cluster. The electrolyzer unit can be either a PEM or an alkaline type where there is a constant feed with water. The produced hydrogen is usually stored in a tank at the output pressure of the electrolyzer or compressed at a higher... 

Khan MJ, Iqbal M. Analysis of a small wind-hydrogen stand-alone hybrid energy system. Applied Energy. 2009 86(11) 2429-2442. DOI 10. 1016/j. apenergy. 2008. 10. 024. 

For energy security reasons, the presence of an auxiliary power supply unit is necessary. This unit can be preferably either a hydrogen internal combustion engine (H2 ICE) or a fuel cell of corresponding capacity to meet at least the minimum needs of the system. In this case, the system is an autonomous power plant. Figure 5.11 shows a stand-alone wind-hydrogen system that is autonomous. The dashed line in some parts of it implies that these connections may not exist as well. The DC/AC converter/controller should have the capability to operate vice versa and power up the lines through the power controller. 

The Hydrogen Research Institute in Canada has developed and tested a stand-alone renewable energy system composed of a 10 kW wind turbine, a 1 kWpeak photovoltaic array, a 5 kW alkaline electrolyzer, and a 5 kW PEM fuel cell. The components of the system are electrically integrated on a 48 V DC bus [50]. 

Schucan T., Hydrogen generation from stand-alone wind-powered electrolysis systems, in Case Studies of Integrated Hydrogen Energy Systems, Final Report of the IEA Task 11 Integrated Systems, 129-145, Switzerland, 1998, Chapter 9. 

Stand-alone and hybrid wind energy systems Technology, energy storage and applications... 

Implementation Plan - Status 2006, Brussels 31-36 Nelson DB, Nehrir MH, Wang C, (2006). Unit sizing and cost analysis of stand-alone hybrid wind/PV/fuel cell power generation systems. Renewable Energy 31 1641-1656... 

The project concluded that electrolyser technology was relatively immature for such wind-hydrogen stand alone-applications and that the electrolyser cost should be considerably reduced if such systems were to be used to cover cases with excess wind energy in weak grids (Dutton et al., 2000)... 

Kaldellis JK, Kondili E, Filios A (2006). Sizing a hybrid wind-diesel stand-alone system on the basis of minimum long-term electricity production cost. Applied Energy 83(12) 1384-1403... 

Tsoutsos TD, Zoulias El, Lymberopoulos N, Glockner R (2004). H-SAPS Market potential analysis for the introduction of hydrogen energy technology in stand alone power systems. Wind Engineering 28(5) 615-619... 

Of course there are exceptions to this. For instance, if you live in Iceland, you would certainly want to explore geothermal energy as your power source. Or, if you live in an area where there is a great deal of cloud cover, wind power or hydropower might be more viable alternatives. Hybrid systems such as a combination of photovoltaics and wind (or any other combination) can be a good a choice for areas where the resources are present but limited. If you are interested in wind power, many wind turbines are suitable for a stand alone power source for hydrogen production, or as a part of a hybrid photovoltaic system. 

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