Photovoltaic Powered Electrolysis
SCHOOL OF PHOTOVOLTAIC AND RENEWABLE ENERGY ENGINEERING
THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW SOUTH WALES
Photovoltaic Powered Electrolysis:
Hydrogen production for transport applications
by Joseph Robert Grisold
Submitted for the degree of Bachelor of Engineering (Hons)
Bachelor of Engineering in Photovoltaic Engineering
Course Code: 3656
Submission Date: 12pm, Tuesday the 29th October 2013
Supervisor: Dr. Gavin Conibeer
Assessor: Dr. Kondo-Francois Aguey-Zinsou
i
Statement of Originality
I declare that this assessment item is my own work, except where acknowledged, and has not been submitted for academic credit elsewhere, and acknowledge that the assessor of this item may, for the purpose of assessing this item:
Reproduce this assessment item and provide a copy to another member of the University; and/or communicate a copy of this assessment item to a plagiarism checking service (which may then retain a copy of the assessment item on its database for the purpose of future plagiarism checking). I certify that I have read and understood the University Rules in respect of Student Academic
Misconduct
Signed:……………………………………………..……
ii
Date:
/
/
Abstract
This thesis investigates the viability of production of hydrogen via photovoltaic powered electrolysis
(PPE), by focusing on the application of hydrogen in transport, specifically for motorcycles and scooters.
It is suggested that metal hydride storage has great potential as a storage medium due to the ability to bring about better desorption characteristics through use of exhaust heat recovery systems, and that PPE is the best solution for small scale hydrogen production. A sample system comprising of a photovoltaic array and an electrolyser is analysed, and through investigation of the future price trends of petroleum and photovoltaic modules, the time until hydrogen fuel pricing parity with petroleum is estimated. It is found that if balance of systems costs can be reduced,
THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW SOUTH WALES
Photovoltaic Powered Electrolysis:
Hydrogen production for transport applications
by Joseph Robert Grisold
Submitted for the degree of Bachelor of Engineering (Hons)
Bachelor of Engineering in Photovoltaic Engineering
Course Code: 3656
Submission Date: 12pm, Tuesday the 29th October 2013
Supervisor: Dr. Gavin Conibeer
Assessor: Dr. Kondo-Francois Aguey-Zinsou
i
Statement of Originality
I declare that this assessment item is my own work, except where acknowledged, and has not been submitted for academic credit elsewhere, and acknowledge that the assessor of this item may, for the purpose of assessing this item:
Reproduce this assessment item and provide a copy to another member of the University; and/or communicate a copy of this assessment item to a plagiarism checking service (which may then retain a copy of the assessment item on its database for the purpose of future plagiarism checking). I certify that I have read and understood the University Rules in respect of Student Academic
Misconduct
Signed:……………………………………………..……
ii
Date:
/
/
Abstract
This thesis investigates the viability of production of hydrogen via photovoltaic powered electrolysis
(PPE), by focusing on the application of hydrogen in transport, specifically for motorcycles and scooters.
It is suggested that metal hydride storage has great potential as a storage medium due to the ability to bring about better desorption characteristics through use of exhaust heat recovery systems, and that PPE is the best solution for small scale hydrogen production. A sample system comprising of a photovoltaic array and an electrolyser is analysed, and through investigation of the future price trends of petroleum and photovoltaic modules, the time until hydrogen fuel pricing parity with petroleum is estimated. It is found that if balance of systems costs can be reduced,