H2Village: Solar PV - Hydrogen hybrid energy system for off-grid rural communities in Africa

Chandima GomesUniversity of Witwatersrand

South Africa

SAIEE National Conference - 2019

This is a Qualitative Concept Presentation A detailed paper will be presented at Beyond 2020 – World

Sustainable Built Environment Conference, Gothenburg, Sweden, 9-11 June, 2020

Present-day Electrical Power System

Energy Source

Generation Step Up Transmission(HV)

Step down DistributionMV Stage-1

Step downDistributionMV Stage-2

Step downDistributionLV

Consumer

Losses Losses Losses Losses

LossesLossesLossesLosses

v As a rule of thumb total technical losses are in the order of 20-25%

v There may be additional non-technical losses that may be in the order of 5-10%

Present-day Electrical Power System

Energy Source

Generation Step Up Transmission(HV)

Step down DistributionMV Stage-1

Step downDistributionMV Stage-2

Step downDistributionLV

Consumer

Losses Losses Losses Losses

LossesLossesLossesLosses

v Cost of system components: Transformers, cables, towers, controlling mechanisms, protective and safety devices, earthing systems etc.

v Operational and maintenance cost: Staff, training, security, damage and interruption recovery etc.

Proposed Hydrogen Network

Energy Source

Power generation

Hydrogen generation

Pipe line supply

Consumer storage

Consumer storage

ConversionUsage

Losses

Losses

Power generation

Hydrogen generation

Losses

At present

v the losses at H2 generation is 20-30%

v Losses at fuel cell (reconversion): 40-50%

Reducing these losses is a research challenge at present

Optional

Proposed Village-level H2 network

H2Village: Solar PV - Hydrogen hybrid energy system for off-grid rural communities in Africa

Chandima GomesUniversity of Witwatersrand

South Africachandima.gomes@wits.ac.za

SAIEE National Conference - 2019

Thank you