A biogas-solar based hybrid off-grid power plant with multiple storages for United States commercial buildings

• Published in: Renewable energy Vol. 179; pp. 705 - 722
• Main Authors: Mendecka, Barbara, Chiappini, Daniele, Tribioli, Laura, Cozzolino, Raffaello
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.12.2021
• Subjects: Biogas; Hybrid renewable energy; Microgrid; Polygeneration plant; Solar energy; Unitized regenerative fuel cell; Biogas; Polygeneration plant; Microgrid; Unitized regenerative fuel cell; Hybrid renewable energy; Solar energy
• ISSN: 0960-1481; 1879-0682
• DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2021.07.078

In this paper, a hybrid renewable power plant with a storage system is designed. The benefits of sizing and energy management are assessed for a commercial building under eight different climatic conditions in the United States. In the considered system, photovoltaic panels are coupled to a unitized regenerative solid oxide fuel cell. The use of biogas to feed unitized regenerative solid oxide fuel cell is investigated, employing a detailed electrochemical model of electrolyzer and fuel cell modes. A battery pack is included in the plant as a secondary storage system, together with a diesel engine operating in backup mode. Four scenarios where biogas amount is varied together with the initial state of charge of the battery were evaluated. Results demonstrate that the power plant can operate with 100 % renewable procurement if the digester produces from 6000 to 9500 stdm3/y and the battery is completely charged at the beginning of the year. By reducing the biogas availability or starting with a low state of charge, the use of the diesel generator is inevitable. The study confirms that the proposed hybrid renewable power plant is technically feasible and can be considered a reliable and clean energy source in other areas and buildings. •Fully renewable power plant optimization/sizing for commercial buildings.•Influence of U.S. climate zones on power plant operations.•Definition of a control strategy for fossil fuel usage minimization.