Integrating a mixed energy vector battolyser into a microgrid

Micro and minigrids supplied by solar and wind power are an important solution to remote access to electricity. This project is a feasibility study investigating adding a flow battolyser into a microgrid system. When installed in a micro/ minigrid, the flow battolyser supplies metered electricity and hydrogen gas to homes, small businesses, and community buildings such as schools and health centres. The flow-battolyser operates in three modes:

1. Discharging as a battery when electricity demand exceeds generation
2. Charging as a battery
3. Use excess electricity to produce hydrogen gas for use in cooking or backup generation or small cottage industry

This project will have four main outputs
1: Learn about the conditions a battolyser will experience in a microgrid that are different from ideal laboratory conditions
2: Trial a battolyser under microgrid conditions and understand how it impacts performance
3: Use the battolyser characteristics to inform how a microgrid could be controlled with multiple energy vectors
4: Develop a pathway for future collaboration

Faculty Supervisor:

Andy Knight

Student:

Partner:

Loughborough University

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Green/Alternative Energy; Sustainability & the Environment

University:

University of Calgary

Program: