Optimization of Renewable Energy and Hydrogen Production for Residential Load in Alberta: A CFD Study

Articles in Press

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador, St. John’s, Canada

2 Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics, Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN), St. John's, Canada

10.22104/hfe.2025.7296.1335

Abstract

Hydrogen, as an energy carrier, can potentially transform future energy systems. Mature technologies for commercial hydrogen production are carbon-intensive and contribute to atmospheric emissions. Renewable energy sources are essential in distributed energy systems, and their integration into hydrogen production can lead to substantial growth over time. This study investigates the optimization of renewable energy sources in Alberta using excess electricity from renewable energy sources for hydrogen production. The novelty of this study lies in evaluating Alberta’s solar and wind energy potential to reduce residential electricity costs and utilize excess electricity from the hybrid system for green hydrogen production. The optimization results show that the combination of solar photovoltaic (PV), wind turbine, and grid power could provide electricity at a rate of 15% lower than the grid power price. Additional financial KPIs, such as NPC, ROI, and IRR, indicate a feasible solution for the residential electricity sector in Alberta. Water electrolysis is one of the promising methods for producing hydrogen using renewable energy. Excess electricity from the optimized model could reduce the hydrogen production cost. Numerical analysis of water electrolysis shows that the hydrogen volume fraction can reach up to 0.2 near the electrode surface and at the top of the electrode, attributed to gas accumulation and flow rate dynamics. Increasing distance between the electrode and separator, which is crucial in hydrogen production, will significantly reduce hydrogen production. By analyzing mid-separator current density in the laminar flow regime, consistent current density improves the longevity of the electrodes with steady hydrogen production.

Keywords

Main Subjects

Hydrogen, Fuel Cell & Energy Storage

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 14 April 2025

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