Operational Analysis of a Pilot-Scale Plant for Hydrogen Production via an Electrolyser Powered by a Photovoltaic System
This study presents preliminary findings from an experimental campaign conducted on a pilot-scale green hydrogen production plant powered by a photovoltaic (PV) system. The integrated setup, implemented at the University “Mediterranea” of Reggio Calabria, includes renewable energy generation, hydrog...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-07-01
|
| Series: | Energies |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/15/3949 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1849239682543517696 |
|---|---|
| author | Lucio Bonaccorsi Rosario Carbone Fabio La Foresta Concettina Marino Antonino Nucara Matilde Pietrafesa Mario Versaci |
| author_facet | Lucio Bonaccorsi Rosario Carbone Fabio La Foresta Concettina Marino Antonino Nucara Matilde Pietrafesa Mario Versaci |
| author_sort | Lucio Bonaccorsi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study presents preliminary findings from an experimental campaign conducted on a pilot-scale green hydrogen production plant powered by a photovoltaic (PV) system. The integrated setup, implemented at the University “Mediterranea” of Reggio Calabria, includes renewable energy generation, hydrogen production via electrolysis, on-site storage, and reconversion through fuel cells. The investigation assessed system performance under different configurations (on-grid and selective stand-alone modes), focusing on key operational phases such as inerting, purging, pressurization, hydrogen generation, and depressurization. Results indicate a strong linear correlation between the electrolyser’s power setpoint and the pressure rise rate, with a maximum gradient of 0.236 bar/min observed at 75% power input. The system demonstrated robust and stable operation, efficient control of shutdown sequences, and effective integration with PV input. These outcomes support the technical feasibility of small-scale hydrogen systems driven by renewables and offer valuable reference data for calibration models and future optimization strategies. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-69bd0e54f3314e5ea66431a6d89bd403 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1996-1073 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Energies |
| spelling | doaj-art-69bd0e54f3314e5ea66431a6d89bd4032025-08-20T04:00:53ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732025-07-011815394910.3390/en18153949Operational Analysis of a Pilot-Scale Plant for Hydrogen Production via an Electrolyser Powered by a Photovoltaic SystemLucio Bonaccorsi0Rosario Carbone1Fabio La Foresta2Concettina Marino3Antonino Nucara4Matilde Pietrafesa5Mario Versaci6Department of Civil, Energetic, Environmental and Material Engineering, Mediterranea University of Reggio Calabria, Via Zehender, 89100 Reggio Calabria, ItalyDepartment of Information Engineering, Infrastructures and Sustainable Energy, Mediterranea University of Reggio Calabria, Via Zehender, 89100 Reggio Calabria, ItalyDepartment of Civil, Energetic, Environmental and Material Engineering, Mediterranea University of Reggio Calabria, Via Zehender, 89100 Reggio Calabria, ItalyDepartment of Civil, Energetic, Environmental and Material Engineering, Mediterranea University of Reggio Calabria, Via Zehender, 89100 Reggio Calabria, ItalyDepartment of Civil, Energetic, Environmental and Material Engineering, Mediterranea University of Reggio Calabria, Via Zehender, 89100 Reggio Calabria, ItalyDepartment of Civil, Energetic, Environmental and Material Engineering, Mediterranea University of Reggio Calabria, Via Zehender, 89100 Reggio Calabria, ItalyDepartment of Civil, Energetic, Environmental and Material Engineering, Mediterranea University of Reggio Calabria, Via Zehender, 89100 Reggio Calabria, ItalyThis study presents preliminary findings from an experimental campaign conducted on a pilot-scale green hydrogen production plant powered by a photovoltaic (PV) system. The integrated setup, implemented at the University “Mediterranea” of Reggio Calabria, includes renewable energy generation, hydrogen production via electrolysis, on-site storage, and reconversion through fuel cells. The investigation assessed system performance under different configurations (on-grid and selective stand-alone modes), focusing on key operational phases such as inerting, purging, pressurization, hydrogen generation, and depressurization. Results indicate a strong linear correlation between the electrolyser’s power setpoint and the pressure rise rate, with a maximum gradient of 0.236 bar/min observed at 75% power input. The system demonstrated robust and stable operation, efficient control of shutdown sequences, and effective integration with PV input. These outcomes support the technical feasibility of small-scale hydrogen systems driven by renewables and offer valuable reference data for calibration models and future optimization strategies.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/15/3949green hydrogenelectrolysisphotovoltaic systemenergy storagefuel cell |
| spellingShingle | Lucio Bonaccorsi Rosario Carbone Fabio La Foresta Concettina Marino Antonino Nucara Matilde Pietrafesa Mario Versaci Operational Analysis of a Pilot-Scale Plant for Hydrogen Production via an Electrolyser Powered by a Photovoltaic System Energies green hydrogen electrolysis photovoltaic system energy storage fuel cell |
| title | Operational Analysis of a Pilot-Scale Plant for Hydrogen Production via an Electrolyser Powered by a Photovoltaic System |
| title_full | Operational Analysis of a Pilot-Scale Plant for Hydrogen Production via an Electrolyser Powered by a Photovoltaic System |
| title_fullStr | Operational Analysis of a Pilot-Scale Plant for Hydrogen Production via an Electrolyser Powered by a Photovoltaic System |
| title_full_unstemmed | Operational Analysis of a Pilot-Scale Plant for Hydrogen Production via an Electrolyser Powered by a Photovoltaic System |
| title_short | Operational Analysis of a Pilot-Scale Plant for Hydrogen Production via an Electrolyser Powered by a Photovoltaic System |
| title_sort | operational analysis of a pilot scale plant for hydrogen production via an electrolyser powered by a photovoltaic system |
| topic | green hydrogen electrolysis photovoltaic system energy storage fuel cell |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/15/3949 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT luciobonaccorsi operationalanalysisofapilotscaleplantforhydrogenproductionviaanelectrolyserpoweredbyaphotovoltaicsystem AT rosariocarbone operationalanalysisofapilotscaleplantforhydrogenproductionviaanelectrolyserpoweredbyaphotovoltaicsystem AT fabiolaforesta operationalanalysisofapilotscaleplantforhydrogenproductionviaanelectrolyserpoweredbyaphotovoltaicsystem AT concettinamarino operationalanalysisofapilotscaleplantforhydrogenproductionviaanelectrolyserpoweredbyaphotovoltaicsystem AT antoninonucara operationalanalysisofapilotscaleplantforhydrogenproductionviaanelectrolyserpoweredbyaphotovoltaicsystem AT matildepietrafesa operationalanalysisofapilotscaleplantforhydrogenproductionviaanelectrolyserpoweredbyaphotovoltaicsystem AT marioversaci operationalanalysisofapilotscaleplantforhydrogenproductionviaanelectrolyserpoweredbyaphotovoltaicsystem |