We are proud to announce the third ELECTROLIFE publication: “Renewable Energy Storage in a Poly-Generative System Fuel Cell/Electrolyzer, Supporting Green Mobility in a Residential Building”, recently published in Energies by our partner CNR.
This article presents a comprehensive energy analysis of a poly-generative system based on solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) and electrolysers, designed to meet the electricity and thermal needs of a residential building in Italy, as well as to support pure electric and hybrid fuel cell mobility. The study considers four representative days across winter, spring, summer, and autumn, with varying vehicle travel distances.
While simplified models were used for the PEM electrolyzer and SOFC system to enable system-level energy balance analysis, this approach was sufficient for the study’s goals, with more detailed models available for control-oriented applications. The poly-generative system, powered by renewable energy sources such as solar energy and biomethane (from anaerobic digestion of organic municipal waste), generates electricity for charging electric vehicles and compressed hydrogen for refuelling hybrid vehicles.
Future work will explore the integration of additional conventional and unconventional energy systems, leveraging programmable renewables like biomethane for electricity and heat, and non-programmable sources such as solar and wind for electricity and hydrogen production. An advanced control system will also be implemented to optimize the operation of both renewable types under varying vehicle and building energy demands throughout the year.
Congratulations to CNR on this remarkable achievement!
