07.02.2013 Views

PhD Thesis - Energy Systems Research Unit - University of Strathclyde

PhD Thesis - Energy Systems Research Unit - University of Strathclyde

PhD Thesis - Energy Systems Research Unit - University of Strathclyde

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

6.5 Electrolysis<br />

As it is sometimes preferable to convert the entire output <strong>of</strong> a PV or wind farm<br />

to hydrogen via electrolysis, rather than just the excess electricity left after some<br />

has been used to meet demand, a dedicated supply can be defined. The halfhourly<br />

output <strong>of</strong> a specified PV array or wind turbine set is calculated using the<br />

algorithm described by Born [9], and this electricity output, for each timestep, is<br />

fed directly into an electrolyser. The electrolyser is defined, and its output is<br />

calculated as described in Section 5.7. Information about the amount <strong>of</strong><br />

electricity used, and the electricity that was wasted due to lack <strong>of</strong> capacity <strong>of</strong> the<br />

electrolyser is given along with the half-hourly hydrogen production graph.<br />

Information is also given about the overall amount <strong>of</strong> water required and<br />

hydrogen made. Examples <strong>of</strong> the PV and wind electrolysis system definition<br />

windows are given in Appendix 1, Figures A1.21 and A1.22. This modelling<br />

method, however, is only suitable if a small number <strong>of</strong> timesteps per hour has<br />

been specified, as it does not account for the response time <strong>of</strong> the electrolyser to<br />

high frequency wind power outputs. If the program was to be used with a larger<br />

number <strong>of</strong> timesteps per hour, this model would require further refinement.<br />

6.6 Waste and Biomass Processing Technologies<br />

To allow the modelling <strong>of</strong> the output and energy use <strong>of</strong> various waste processing<br />

technologies, (e.g. pelletising, shredding, briquetting, chipping, wood or sewage<br />

drying), a generic process is defined. The feedstock availability is defined by<br />

the amount available (tonnes/day), and the percentage by weight <strong>of</strong> this<br />

feedstock that is output. Different feedstocks may be used at different times <strong>of</strong><br />

the year, and varying amounts <strong>of</strong> the same feedstock may be defined. This<br />

feedstock is put into a store at each timestep it is available, and is used from that<br />

store at a specified feed rate (tonnes/hr). The electricity and heat requirements<br />

for the process (kWh/tonne feedstock), and the times over which it is operational<br />

are defined, and the output is assigned as RDF or one <strong>of</strong> the ‘other’ categories.<br />

The temporal fuel production and energy use graphs are then created as<br />

described in previous examples, with the process only working between<br />

operating times and if sufficient fuel is available. This process is shown in<br />

215

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!