P2G2P System - Case Study for A 5 MW Photovoltaic Park

Abstract

In its most concise expression, the economy of hydrogen is synthesized by the use of hydrogen as an energy vector to allow the conversion of variable renewable energy (VRE) into electricity useful for operating various equipment and processes, in the so-called Power to Gas to Power (P2G2P) conversion. The paper deals with a P2G2P system based on solar energy to produce “green” hydrogen to be used as fuel to supply (pure or mixed with natural gas) a gas turbine to generate electricity. Hydrogen is produced by water electrolysis and stored in pressurized tanks in the so-called P2G (power to gas) technology. Its subsequent use for power generation in a G2P (gas to power) system allows the storage of the excess energy produced by the PV (photovoltaic) panels to be used later to compensate the solar energy intermittency. The issues relating to sizing such a P2G2P system supplied by a 5 MW PV panels park, its operating performances and economics are presented. Results are materialized in data regarding the monthly distribution of resources and production, as well as those related to revenues and the expenses involved. Ways to increase system efficiency are also suggested.