Optimized Design and Simulation of Excitation Circuit in the Production of Green Hydrogen Using Photovoltaic Energy

Authors

Tisza, Juan

Quispe, Paulo

Santos, Felix

Montoya, Mauro

Abstract

The work presents the optimized design and simulation of an excitation circuit that is applied to the electrolyzing unit of the green hydrogen production process using photovoltaic energy as primary source, the optimized design considers the efficient use of the primary energy required, for which is implemented in the control unit of a boost type DC-DC electronic power converter, the evaluations and tests, at simulation level, are performed through three control algorithms with the objective of working at the maximum power point of the photovoltaic panel, the test is evaluated through maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithms [1], [2], [3] and the one with the best operating characteristics in relation to the specific application considered in this study is selected. The optimization also contemplates the considerations of maximum efficiency in hydrogen production, considering the electrical equivalent circuit of the electrolyzer (EEC) for the developed design [7], proposals for possible improvements in efficiency proposed in previous studies are evaluated (Aguilar-Jaramillo and Aguinaga) [7]. The proposed circuit is tested under different operating conditions, which support the conclusions and recommendations of the research whose results are shown in this work. MATLAB and SIMULINK are used in the tests and simulations presented in this work.