Unlocking Untapped Solar PV Energy in DC Microgrids Through Hydrogen Energy Storage Solutions

Standalone power systems deployed in regions with challenging grid connectivity often rely on Diesel generators (DGs) for their operation. As a solution to the high operational costs and environmental degradation associated with continuous DG operation, Renewable Energy systems (RES) have emerged as a cost-effective, and environmentally friendly alternative. Integrating RES into standalone power systems demands thorough modelling due to their inherently intermittent nature. Among the solutions that have emerged for the seamless integration of RES into standalone power systems, DC microgrids equipped with energy storage systems have gained prominence. Particularly in critical facilities where power reliability is important, designing of DC microgrids for standalone systems needs a careful consideration of RES's seasonal behaviour. This study focuses on quantifying the untapped energy within solar PV-based DC microgrids, attributable to fluctuations in solar irradiance resulting from seasonal changes. Furthermore, the study assesses the viability of Hydrogen Energy storage as a long-term energy storage solution to harness this untapped energy. The findings underscore that over 50% of potential energy yield from solar PV-based DC microgrids remains untapped. The potential to harness the untapped energy was further explored through a comprehensive study involving the integration of Hydrogen Energy storage into DC microgrids.