Ph. D. Project
Title:
Green hydrogen production management: sizing, modeling and optimization
Dates:
2024/04/01 - 2027/03/31
Supervisor(s):
Other supervisor(s):
Meziane Ait Ziane (meziane.ait-ziane@univ-lorraine.fr)
, Melika Hinaje (melika.hinaje@univ-lorraine.fr)
Description:
I) Context
The hydrogen vector is seen as a key factor in the global strategy to reduce CO2 greenhouse gas emissions. This strategy is based on the expansion
of renewable energies, in particular wind power and photovoltaics (PV).
The production and storage of excess energy from renewable energy sources (RES) as hydrogen has been the subject of a large amount of scientific
research over the last decade. The production of green hydrogen is carried out by electrolyzer systems.
Basically, water electrolyser technology can be categorized into low-temperature technology (alkaline and PEM) and high-temperature technology
(solid-oxide electrolyser). Alkaline technology is the most mature and widespread of these technologies. However, alkaline electrolyzers have
certain limitations when operating with fluctuating RES. They have a low current density and must operate within a range of 20 % to 100 % of rated
power. When combined with fluctuating renewable sources, these electrolyzers are subject to dynamic, part-load operation and frequent shutdowns,
which can lead to more rapid degradation. PEM electrolyzers, by contrast, have the advantage of operating at high current density and are able to
tolerate current fluctuations from renewable resources. The main drawback of this technology is its high cost, due to the use of a noble metal such as
platinum.
Several studies deal with the production of green hydrogen by coupling it to renewable energy sources, in particular wind power and solar panels
(PV), and with system sizing. When sizing electrolysis systems, only one technology was taken into account: alkaline electrolyzers or PEM.
II) Thesis research objectives
The aim of this thesis is to manage the production of green hydrogen by coupling the advantages of the two electrolyzer technologies (alkaline and
PEM) in order to increase the efficiency of the hydrogen production system and minimize the degradation effect of current fluctuations applied to the
electrolyzers. There are few works in the literature dealing with the production of green hydrogen by coupling the two technologies.
In order to achieve the objective of this thesis, three steps are considered:
i) The sizing of green hydrogen production systems must take into account both technologies and the impact of degradation due to coupling with
renewable energy sources (RES).
ii) Control-oriented dynamic modeling of electrolysis systems must be carried out to observe and evolve the various electrolyser variables in order to
increase the efficiency of the green hydrogen production system. Modeling must take into account the electrolyzer's auxiliaries (water supply system,
cooling system, pressure management).
iii) Optimizing the green hydrogen production system consists in developing low-level control strategies, i.e. operating the electrolyzers in favorable
conditions to minimize energy consumption, and high-level control and optimization strategies to guarantee better management of hydrogen
production, taking into account both electrolyzer technologies (alkaline and PEM).
III) Progress of the thesis
0 - 6 months: devoted to a bibliographical study of existing literature on hydrogen production from renewable energy sources, electrolyser power
supply systems, and the operation of the two electrolyzer technologies (alkaline and PEM).
6 months - 12 months: are devoted to modeling and characterizing electrolysis systems (PEM and alkaline). Electrolyzer characterization will be
carried out on the laboratory's test benches.
12 months - 18 months: the PhD student designs the system for producing hydrogen from renewable energy sources. An experimental approach is
considered for this phase. A conference paper will be published for this part.
18 months - 30 months: the PhD student will develop control and management strategies for hydrogen production. A journal article will be published
for this part.
30 months - 36 months: are devoted to writing the thesis.
The hydrogen vector is seen as a key factor in the global strategy to reduce CO2 greenhouse gas emissions. This strategy is based on the expansion
of renewable energies, in particular wind power and photovoltaics (PV).
The production and storage of excess energy from renewable energy sources (RES) as hydrogen has been the subject of a large amount of scientific
research over the last decade. The production of green hydrogen is carried out by electrolyzer systems.
Basically, water electrolyser technology can be categorized into low-temperature technology (alkaline and PEM) and high-temperature technology
(solid-oxide electrolyser). Alkaline technology is the most mature and widespread of these technologies. However, alkaline electrolyzers have
certain limitations when operating with fluctuating RES. They have a low current density and must operate within a range of 20 % to 100 % of rated
power. When combined with fluctuating renewable sources, these electrolyzers are subject to dynamic, part-load operation and frequent shutdowns,
which can lead to more rapid degradation. PEM electrolyzers, by contrast, have the advantage of operating at high current density and are able to
tolerate current fluctuations from renewable resources. The main drawback of this technology is its high cost, due to the use of a noble metal such as
platinum.
Several studies deal with the production of green hydrogen by coupling it to renewable energy sources, in particular wind power and solar panels
(PV), and with system sizing. When sizing electrolysis systems, only one technology was taken into account: alkaline electrolyzers or PEM.
II) Thesis research objectives
The aim of this thesis is to manage the production of green hydrogen by coupling the advantages of the two electrolyzer technologies (alkaline and
PEM) in order to increase the efficiency of the hydrogen production system and minimize the degradation effect of current fluctuations applied to the
electrolyzers. There are few works in the literature dealing with the production of green hydrogen by coupling the two technologies.
In order to achieve the objective of this thesis, three steps are considered:
i) The sizing of green hydrogen production systems must take into account both technologies and the impact of degradation due to coupling with
renewable energy sources (RES).
ii) Control-oriented dynamic modeling of electrolysis systems must be carried out to observe and evolve the various electrolyser variables in order to
increase the efficiency of the green hydrogen production system. Modeling must take into account the electrolyzer's auxiliaries (water supply system,
cooling system, pressure management).
iii) Optimizing the green hydrogen production system consists in developing low-level control strategies, i.e. operating the electrolyzers in favorable
conditions to minimize energy consumption, and high-level control and optimization strategies to guarantee better management of hydrogen
production, taking into account both electrolyzer technologies (alkaline and PEM).
III) Progress of the thesis
0 - 6 months: devoted to a bibliographical study of existing literature on hydrogen production from renewable energy sources, electrolyser power
supply systems, and the operation of the two electrolyzer technologies (alkaline and PEM).
6 months - 12 months: are devoted to modeling and characterizing electrolysis systems (PEM and alkaline). Electrolyzer characterization will be
carried out on the laboratory's test benches.
12 months - 18 months: the PhD student designs the system for producing hydrogen from renewable energy sources. An experimental approach is
considered for this phase. A conference paper will be published for this part.
18 months - 30 months: the PhD student will develop control and management strategies for hydrogen production. A journal article will be published
for this part.
30 months - 36 months: are devoted to writing the thesis.
Keywords:
Hydrogen, electrolyzer, modeling, control, optimization, renewable energy sources
Department(s):
| Control Identification Diagnosis |
Funds:
Grant awarded by PETROLEUM TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT FUND of Nigeria