Modeling of an Integrated Power System for the City of Shiraz

Presented in this article are the modeling results of an integrated power system consisting of photovoltaic (PV) panels, battery bank, electrolyzer for hydrogen generation, compressor, hydrogen reservoir, and a PEM fuel cell stack. A strategy has been adopted to operate the system components in such a way to maximize the overall efficiency of the solar energy available during the system operation. System components’ specifications, electrical power demand and the site’s geographical location are the given constrains that determine the sequence and share of each component’s operation in the system function strategy. An in-house computer model was developed and used for the simulations. Using this model, the minimum required PV panel area was determined for a specific set of constraints including the power demand pattern for the city of Shiraz, Iran. It is found that for the given set of constraints, a set of PV cells with a total area of 97.5 m² will be required to provide the 40 kWh daily electrical energy demand during the “hot season” (spring and summer months). This minimum required PV cell area is obtained when the azimuth angle of the PV panels is set at 30° in the city of Shiraz. The same method can be implemented to optimize a similar system for use in any other location on earth.