An alternative energy solution to scenario 4 was modelled using electrolysis and fuel cells. This was because the island community had expressed a strong interest in this technology and if it was viable. Our feasibility study for fuel cells determined it would not be economical for the island to currently implement, but that it could be a solution if the island was to seek a higher degree of energy autonomy. An alternative to scenario 4 was therefore modelled with fuel cells, to compare with using biogas.
The same new PV installation and wind turbine from scenario 4 were added to the current energy system, but this time with an electrolyser, hydrogen tank and fuel cell instead of the Li-Ion batteries and biogas turbine. The electrolysis process for this scenario acts as storage and back-up generation. |
As evident in the electrical production table and graphs, the fuel cell was only able to provide around 5% of the islands total energy demand, despite the large amounts of surplus renewables generation available for electrolysis. The fuel cell was also unable to completely replace the diesel generator for back-up, with is being required to generate around 182,000 kWh over the course of the year. This would be very expensive for the island in terms of fuel, and also release a substantial amount of unwanted emissions.
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