Localization of solar-hydrogen power plants in the province of Kerman, Iran

Mostafaeipour, Ali,Sedaghat, Ahmad,Qolipour, Mojtaba,Rezaei, Mostafa,Arabnia, Hamid R.,Saidi-Mehrabad, Mohammad,Shamshirband, Shahaboddin,Alavi, Omid Techno-Press 2017 Advances in energy research Vol.5 No.2

This research presents an in-depth analysis of location planning of the solar-hydrogen power plants for electricity production in different cities situated in Kerman province of Iran. Ten cities were analyzed in order to select the most suitable location for the construction of a solar-hydrogen power plant utilizing photovoltaic panels. Data envelopment analysis (DEA) methodology was applied to prioritize cities for installing the solar-hydrogen power plant so that one candidate location was selected for each city. Different criteria including population, distance to main road, flood risk, wind speed, sunshine hours, air temperature, humidity, horizontal solar irradiation, dust, and land costare used for the analysis. From the analysis, it is found that among the candidates' cities, the site of Lalezar is ranked as the first priority for the solar-hydrogen system development. A measure of validity is obtained when results of the DEA method are compared with the results of the technique for ordering preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS). Applying TOPSIS model, it was found that city of Lalezar ranked first, and Rafsanjan gained last priority for installing the solar-hydrogen power plants. Cities of Baft, Sirjan, Kerman, Shahrbabak, Kahnouj, Shahdad, Bam, and Jiroft ranked second to ninth, respectively. The validity of the DEA model is compared with the results of TOPSIS and it is demonstrated that the two methods produced similar results. The solar-hydrogen power plant is considered for installation in the city of Lalezar. It is demonstrated that installation of the proposed solar-hydrogen system in Lalezar can lead to yearly yield of 129 ton-H2 which covers 4.3% of total annual energy demands of the city.

Improved operation of solar reactor for two-step water-splitting H₂ production by ceria-coated ceramic foam device

Cho, H.S.,Gokon, N.,Kodama, T.,Kang, Y.H.,Lee, H.J. Elsevier 2015 International journal of hydrogen energy Vol.40 No.1

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>The joint international project between Niigata University (Japan) and the Korea Institute of Energy Research, KIER (Korea) on “Solar Demonstration of Water-Splitting Reactor using Ceramic Foam Device” has two goals. (1) Develop a solar reactor using reactive cerium oxide foam devices for high-temperature two-step thermochemical water-splitting cycle. (2) Test its performance under various operational methods using a 40 kW<SUB>th</SUB> solar furnace driven by natural solar energy. The reactive CeO<SUB>2</SUB>/MPSZ (MgO – partially stabilized zirconia) foam device for two-step water-splitting was developed and prepared by Niigata University/Japan; it involves coating an inert zirconia foam matrix with reactive CeO<SUB>2</SUB>. In this paper, highly reactive CeO<SUB>2</SUB> particles were used the redox material in CeO<SUB>2</SUB>/MPSZ foam devices to investigate the use of solar energy for hydrogen production. The solar-driven thermochemical two-step water-splitting cycle was demonstrated using the 40 kW<SUB>th</SUB> KIER solar furnace in Korea combined with the CeO<SUB>2</SUB>/MPSZ foam device. At the center of the foam device, temperatures were 1500 °C–1600 °C during the thermal reduction step and 600 °C-1100 °C during the subsequent water decomposition step. Hydrogen was successfully produced from the CeO<SUB>2</SUB>/MPSZ foam device, and profiles for hydrogen production and CeO<SUB>2</SUB> conversion indicated definitely improved operations compared to earlier studies.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Three different operational methods were tested using a ceria-coated foam device. </LI> <LI> A ceria-coated foam device was fabricated by spin coating method. </LI> <LI> A H<SUB>2</SUB> production process under real solar condition tested using a KIER solar furnace. </LI> <LI> In the cycles, a CCD-camera was used to monitor the discoloration of the foam device. </LI> <LI> Each of the three operational methods tested showed significant differences. </LI> </UL> </P>

Techno-economic feasibility evaluation of a standalone solar-powered alkaline water electrolyzer considering the influence of battery energy storage system: A Korean case study

Haider Niaz,Mohammad MansourLakouraj,유준 한국화학공학회 2021 Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering Vol.38 No.8

Hydrogen use is dominated by industry, with most hydrogen demand mitigated using fossil fuels; therefore, there is an eminent potential for the reduction of emissions by replacing fossil-derived hydrogen with a renewable hydrogen source. Although the emission reduction by using renewable energy presents a promising potential, its fluctuating nature is still a challenge to be addressed. In this study, considering a battery energy storage system (BESS), a dynamic operation-based techno-economic evaluation of a standalone solar photovoltaic (PV)-powered alkaline water electrolyzer (AWE) was conducted using actual solar data. Different process configurations were designed and simulated to quantify the available potential of a standalone solar-powered hydrogen production system in Korea. Furthermore, economic evaluation metrics, such as levelized cost of hydrogen (LCOH) and Monte Carlo simulation, were used to assess the potential of different configurations under variable market prices and future technology costs to estimate the future potential. The results showed that Case 1 (standalone solar-powered AWE without BESS) offers the lowest LCOH (9.55 $/kg) but with daytime operation only. Meanwhile, Case 4 (standalone solar-powered AWE with BESS) reported the second-lowest LCOH (11.67 $/kg) compared with the other cases. The results also suggested that systems with BESS can increase operational reliability by minimizing operational fluctuations and maximizing operational hours but with a slightly higher LCOH. The conducted sensitivity analysis showed that the technology cost (solar PV, AWE, and BESS) has the highest impact on LCOH, which is promising, in light of the decreasing trend in the future costs of such technologies.

Solar Water Splitting using Ni-based catalysts for the Anion Exchange Membrane Water Electrolyzer

한경호,박훈기,오정현,김진영,장호원,안상현 한국공업화학회 2019 한국공업화학회 연구논문 초록집 Vol.2019 No.1

Hydrogen is recognized as a promising approach to store solar energy. Among the various hydrogen production methods, water electrolysis connected with solar energy has been considered as a solar-to-hydrogen (STH). A conventional water electrolysis system is consisted of anode, cathode, and alkaline electrolyte in batch type cell. Ohmic resistance of the electrolyte between two electrodes leads to serious voltage drop. The produced hydrogen purity is lowered by crossover of oxygen transferred. Ion-conducting membrane is sandwiched by two gas diffusion electrode (GDE) with zero gap to fabricate membrane electrode assembly (MEA). The crossover of gases is prevented by membrane, indicating that high faradaic efficiency for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) which leads to high STH. Herein, The fabricated NiMo and NiFe GDEs were applied to MEA for the Anion Exchange Membrane Water Electrolyzer (AEMWE).The STH was calculated using a combination system of perovskite/Si solar cell and AEMWE.

Fe controlled charge-dynamics in ZnO for solar hydrogen generation

Dom, Rekha,Baby, Lijin Rose,Kim, Hyun Gyu,Borse, Pramod H. Elsevier 2017 International journal of hydrogen energy Vol.42 No.9

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>An efficient photoanode of Fe doped ZnO was fabricated using an economic and simple <I>spray pyrolysis technique</I>. It exhibited <I>5</I>-fold photocurrent enhancement as compared to an un-doped photoelectrode irradiated under simulated solar radiation (AM 1.5G). The photo-conversion efficiencies of the electrodes fabricated by variation in the dopant concentration in the range 10<SUP>−4</SUP>–10<SUP>−1</SUP>% of Fe have been estimated and compared. The doping enabled to control the charge dynamics in ZnO photoanode to yield enhanced photocurrent. The photo electrochemical hydrogen evolution under solar-photons from the doped photoanode was <I>17-times</I> larger in magnitude <I>i.e. ∼</I>307 μmol/h, than un-doped film electrodes (18 μmol/h). The film exhibited <I>wurtzite</I> structure (Space Group – <I>P 63mc</I>) which did not show any structural lattice deformation after Fe doping of ≤10<SUP>−1</SUP>%. Optical studies revealed a <I>red-shift</I> in the band-gap, while a decrease in the <I>absorption-coefficient</I>, with the increase in Fe concentration. These photoanodes also displayed higher Incident-Photon-Current-Conversion efficiency (IPCE) in the 400–430 nm wavelength range. Electrochemical studies revealed <I>n</I>-type conductivity of these photoanodes. An anodic shift in the flat-band potential was observed with an increase in the Fe dopant concentration in the ZnO lattice. The result of the experimental study is illustrated in the form of schematic diagram which demonstrates the suitability of the doped system for solar hydrogen generation. Dopant induced improved optical absorption is mainly attributed to the enhancement in photo-response of these Fe doped ZnO films. The study indicates high potential of these ZnO films for solar energy applications especially <I>with respect to</I> their ability to work under solar radiation.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Nanostructured ZnO-film as large as 10 × 10 cm<SUP>2</SUP> deposited by simple spray pyrolysis deposition. </LI> <LI> Stable photocurrent generation yielded 307 micro mol/hr hydrogen. </LI> <LI> The films showed excellent IPCE of >5% in visible light range of 385–425 nm. </LI> <LI> Film showed 0.15% STH efficiency <I>viz</I>. 17 times more H<SUB>2</SUB> evolution than undoped ZnO. </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>

용액 공정 CIGS 박막 태양 전지를 이용한 물 분해 수소 생산

전효상,박세진,민병권 한국수소및신에너지학회 2013 한국수소 및 신에너지학회논문집 Vol.24 No.4

Abstract >> Hydrogen production from water using solar energy is attractive way to obtain clean energy resource. Among the various solar-to-hydrogen production techniques, a combination of a photovoltaic and an electrolytic cell is one of the most promising techniques in term of stability and efficiency. In this study, we show successful fabrication of precursor solution processed CIGS thin film solar cells which can generate high voltage. In addition,CIGS thin film solar cell modules producing over 2V of open circuit voltage were fabricated by connecting three single cells in series, which are applicable to water electrolysis. The operating current and voltage during water electrolysis was measured to be 4.23mA and 1.59V, respectively, and solar to hydrogen efficiency was estimated to be 3.9%.

Water Splitting Exceeding 17% Solar-to-Hydrogen Conversion Efficiency Using Solution-Processed Ni-Based Electrocatalysts and Perovskite/Si Tandem Solar Cell

Park, Hoonkee,Park, Ik Jae,Lee, Mi Gyoung,Kwon, Ki Chang,Hong, Seung-Pyo,Kim, Do Hong,Lee, Sol A,Lee, Tae Hyung,Kim, Changyeon,Moon, Cheon Woo,Son, Dae-Yong,Jung, Gwan Ho,Yang, Hong Seok,Lee, Jea Ryun American Chemical Society 2019 ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES Vol.11 No.37

<P>Various noble metal-free electrocatalysts have been explored to enhance the overall water splitting efficiency. Ni-based compounds have attracted substantial attention for achieving efficient oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) catalysts. Here, we show superior electrocatalysts based on NiFe alloy electroformed by a roll-to-roll process. NiFe (oxy)hydroxide synthesized by an anodization method for the OER catalyst shows an overpotential of 250 mV at 10 mA cm<SUP>-2</SUP>, which is dramatically smaller than that of bare NiFe alloy with an overpotential of 380 mV at 10 mA cm<SUP>-2</SUP>. Electrodeposited NiMo films for the HER catalyst also exhibit a small overpotential of 100 mV at 10 mA cm<SUP>-2</SUP> compared with that of bare NiFe alloy (550 mV at 10 mA cm<SUP>-2</SUP>). A combined spectroscopic and electrochemical analysis reveals a clear relationship between the surface chemistry of NiFe (oxy)hydroxide and the water splitting properties. These outstanding fully solution-processed catalysts facilitate superb overall water splitting properties due to enlarged active surfaces and highly active catalytic properties. We combined a solution-processed monolithic perovskite/Si tandem solar cell with MAPb(I<SUB>0.85</SUB>Br<SUB>0.15</SUB>)<SUB>3</SUB> for the direct conversion of solar energy into hydrogen energy, leading to the high solar-to-hydrogen efficiency of 17.52%. Based on the cost-effective solution processes, our photovoltaic-electrocatalysis (PV-EC) system has advantages over latest high-performance solar water splitting systems.</P> [FIG OMISSION]</BR>

H-doped TiO_2-x prepared with MgH₂ for highly efficient solar-driven hydrogen production

Sinhamahapatra, Apurba,Lee, Ha-Young,Shen, Shaohua,Mao, Samuel S.,Yu, Jong-Sung Elsevier 2018 Applied Catalysis B Vol.237 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Efficient utilization of visible light with high stability remains a critical challenge for solar-driven photochemical generation of hydrogen (H<SUB>2</SUB>) using particulate photocatalysts. Black TiO<SUB>2</SUB> was introduced with remarkable enhancement of visible light absorption, but its efficiency in the visible light has not reached the desired level for real-world applications. Here we report a gold-colored H-doped TiO<SUB>2-x</SUB> (H:TiO<SUB>2-x</SUB>) nanoparticles prepared by controlled reduction via simultaneous presence of [Mg] and [H], which are obtained from the decomposition of MgH<SUB>2</SUB>. The H-doped TiO<SUB>2-x</SUB> exhibits a significant activity (16.1 mmolg<SUP>−1</SUP>h<SUP>−1</SUP>) and remarkable stability after Pt deposition for solar-driven H<SUB>2</SUB> generation from methanol-water. The excellent photoactivity of H-doped TiO<SUB>2</SUB> can be attributed to oxygen vacancies and H doping at the reduced TiO<SUB>2-x</SUB> surface generated by [Mg] and [H]. The H-doped TiO<SUB>2</SUB> is also producing H<SUB>2</SUB> from methanol-seawater with a rate of 6.1 mmolg<SUP>−1</SUP>h<SUP>−1</SUP> under simulated sunlight.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> A new strategy of simultaneous reduction and hydrogenation of TiO<SUB>2</SUB> is developed. </LI> <LI> MgH<SUB>2</SUB> as a novel reducing agent is used for the first time to reduce TiO<SUB>2</SUB>. </LI> <LI> MgH<SUB>2</SUB> provides two different active reducing species [Mg] and [H] on decomposition to produces H-doped reduced TiO<SUB>2-x</SUB>. </LI> <LI> H-TiO<SUB>2-x</SUB> exhibits excellent rate of solar H<SUB>2</SUB> production from methanol-water. </LI> <LI> The developed catalyst shows long-term stability. </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>The simultaneous reduction and hydrogenation of TiO<SUB>2</SUB> by [Mg] and [H], respectively, offer efficient hydrogen-doped reduced TiO<SUB>2-x</SUB> photocatalyst systems which exhibit high efficiency (16.1 mmolg<SUP>−1</SUP>h<SUP>−1</SUP>) for solar hydrogen production from methanol-water in the presence of only 0.25% of photodeposited Pt nanoparticles with excellent performance stability. The photocatalyst system possesses sufficient low recombination of the photogenerated charges and also utilizes a reasonable amount of visible light.</P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>

접시형 태양열 시스템을 이용한 2단계 열화학 싸이클의 수소 생산과 PID 온도 제어 기법 연구

김철숙(Kim Chul-sook),김동연(Kim Dong-Yeon),조지현(Cho Ji-Hyun),서태범(Seo Tae-Beom) 한국태양에너지학회 2013 한국태양에너지학회 논문집 Vol.33 No.3

Solar thermal reactor was studied for hydrogen production with a two step thermochemical cycle including T-R(Thermal Reduction)step and W-D(Water Decomposition) step. NiFe2O4 and Fe3O4 supported by monoclinic ZrO2 were used as a catalyst device and Ni powder was used for decreasing the T-R step reaction temperature. Maintaining a temperature level of about 1100℃ and 1400℃, for 2-step thermochemical reaction, is important for obtaining maximum performance of hydrogen production. The controller was designed for adjusting high temperature solar thermal energy heating the foam-device coated with nickel–ferrite powder. A PID temperature control system was designed based on 2-step thermochemical reaction experiment data (measured concentrated solar radiation and the temperature of foam device during experiment). The cycle repeated 5 times, ferrite conversion rate are 4.49∼29.97% and hydrogen production rate is 0.19∼1.54mmol/g-ferrite. A temperature controller was designed for increasing the number of reaction cycles related with the amount of produced hydrogen.

Nanostructure Zn–Cu <i>co</i>-doped CdS chalcogenide electrodes for opto-electric-power and H₂ generation

Pareek, Alka,Thotakuri, Rambabu,Dom, Rekha,Kim, Hyun Gyu,Borse, Pramod H. Elsevier 2017 International journal of hydrogen energy Vol.42 No.1

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>An efficient photoanode of Zn–Cu: doped nanostructure CdS film has been fabricated by a very simple and commercially usable <I>chemical bath deposition</I> methodology. The electrodes of various sizes were deposited, those ranged from 10 × 10 mm to 100 × 100 mm. Physico-chemical property of the film is investigated <I>in-depth</I> for the photo-electrochemical (PEC) hydrogen production and electric-power generation application. Especially, we studied the effect of Zn and Cu <I>co</I>-doping in the hexagonal CdS-lattice <I>w.r.t.</I> the structural, optical and PEC properties of the nanostructure film. Zn-doping induces an increase in the absorption of visible light photons. The doping enhances the photocurrent by twice as to the undoped, and generates a net photocurrent of ∼817 μA/cm<SUP>2</SUP>, at a very low applied potential of 0.1 V/SCE, in contrast to 366 μA/cm<SUP>2</SUP> of its undoped counterpart. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy demonstrated that the reduced <I>e–h</I> recombination is responsible for the superior performance of the electrodes. PEC cell fabricated by these electrodes showed a <I>maximum hydrogen generation</I> rate of ∼6.74 μmol/h as compared to 0.58 μmol/h from undoped counterpart; Further a <I>photo to electric-power</I> conversion efficiency of ∼0.16% has been achieved even at <I>low biasing</I> potential of <I>0.1 V</I>/SCE under AM 1.5 solar simulated illumination. Undoped, Zn doped and Cu <I>co</I>-doped films are highly useful for <I>dual applications</I> of “<I>solar power-generation</I>” and “<I>solar hydrogen-generation</I>”, revealing that the Zn doped PEC solar cell is most efficient system for the hydrogen generation even at a very low voltage bias of 0.1 V/SCE.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Deposition of Zn and Cu <I>co</I>-doped nanostructure films by chemical bath deposition. </LI> <LI> Structural and optical properties are revealed. </LI> <LI> Doping and <I>Co</I>-doping enhances the photocurrent by more than twice in CdS. </LI> <LI> Zn doped CdS shows improved power conversion and STH efficiency of 0.50% and 0.16% respectively. </LI> <LI> Low cost method for fabrication of dual purpose PEC cell. </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>