A photovoltaic powered electrolysis converter system with maximum power point tracking control

Abstract

One of the main problems for renewable and other innovative energy sources is the storage of energy for sustainability. This study focuses on two different scenarios to benefit from solar energy more efficiently. Photovoltaic (PV) energy is converted to the desired voltage level using a buck converter for generating hydrogen with electrolysis process. A maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithm is used to benefit from the photovoltaic sources more efficiently. the basic electrolysis load for hydrogen production needs low voltage and high current and controlled sensitively to supply these conditions. the photovoltaic powered buck converter for electrolysis load was simulated in MATLAB/Simulink software using a perturb and observe (P and 0) MPPT algorithm and PI controller. the simulation results show that in normal, short circuit and open circuit working conditions the PV and load voltages are stabilized. the efficiency of the proposed system is reached more than 90% for high irradiance levels. (C) 2020 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.