Progress of Cryogenics and Isotopes Separation , ISSN: 1582-2575
2015, Volume 18, Issue 1

Sustaining the Passive House with Hybrid Energy Photovoltaic Panels-Fuel Cell

Abstract

The depletion of fossil fuel reserves and the increase of carbon dioxide emissions in the environment with a greenhouse effect have focused the attention on the necessity to transition from the currently used conventional fuels to the use of renewable energy sources such as photovoltaic panels. In addition, the concept of passive house brought important benefits in the plan to reduce the energy demand of buildings and greenhouse emissions.

This paper simulated an independent hybrid system able to energetically sustain a passive house in Rm. Valcea. The hybrid system consists of photovoltaic panels, fuel cells, a hydrogen tank, electrolyser and converters. The Homer software analysed and optimized the hybrid system based on the energy demand for the stationary application and the amount of energy generated by renewable sources together with the fuel cell.  The excess energy from photovoltaic panels has been stored with hydrogen. The daily energy demand is estimated at 12kWh/day with a maximum power of 1.6 kW.

This work followed the sizing of the hybrid system based on the equipment used, minimizing carbon dioxide emissions, but also the feasibility of the fuel cell and photovoltaic panels.