Study on Application of SOFC on Biogas in Standalone Agriculture Enterprise Power Supply Systems

The article is devoted to the use of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) on biogas in standalone power supply systems of agricultural enterprises. The task of optimal composition and parameters selection for SOFC-based generation systems is solved. The object of research is a standalone power supply system for a livestock enterprise. Three options for the combining SOFC with additional energy sources has been considered. The methodology of SOFC-based generation system parameters selection was developed depending on daily biogas production volume. For the three options of the SOFC-based generation system, there were obtained dependences of Levelized Cost of Energy on the SOFC capacity. It was found out that the most effective option is the SOFC combination with accumulator batteries and a biogas backup power generator. An algorithm for controlling its operation modes was developed for this option. The algorithm was tested on a Simulink-model of the explored power supply system.