The South African Department of Science and Technology is striving to develop a means of producing hydrogen gas in remote and civil areas through the use of renewable energy sources. For the purposes of creating such mobile hydrogen production facilities, a small-scale hydrogen production system based on renewable energy sources needs to be developed and modelled. This system is to serve as a pilot plant for further development of a large scale mobile hydrogen production facility. This work focuses on the characterisation of sizing algorithms for renewable energy sources which can determine component configurations that satisfy power requirements of the system. Additionally, optimal sizing techniques must be developed which can output an optimal plant configuration to a user based on cost and efficiency. To this end, a literature study was done on all the components that make up a renewable energy hydrogen system. The techniques researched were then applied to create algorithms capable of correctly sizing the required components of such a plant. These techniques were integrated into an application created in the LabVIEW environment, which is capable of outputting an optimal plant configuration based on the specific needs of a client. A case study was defined with which the results of the simulation models were verified. Using this work, a future, more comprehensive system may be developed and commercialised, building from the techniques implemented here. / Thesis (MIng (Computer and Electronic Engineering))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013

The South African Department of Science and Technology is striving to develop a means of producing hydrogen gas in remote and civil areas through the use of renewable energy sources. For the purposes of creating such mobile hydrogen production facilities, a small-scale hydrogen production system based on renewable energy sources needs to be developed and modelled. This system is to serve as a pilot plant for further development of a large scale mobile hydrogen production facility. This work focuses on the characterisation of sizing algorithms for renewable energy sources which can determine component configurations that satisfy power requirements of the system. Additionally, optimal sizing techniques must be developed which can output an optimal plant configuration to a user based on cost and efficiency. To this end, a literature study was done on all the components that make up a renewable energy hydrogen system. The techniques researched were then applied to create algorithms capable of correctly sizing the required components of such a plant. These techniques were integrated into an application created in the LabVIEW environment, which is capable of outputting an optimal plant configuration based on the specific needs of a client. A case study was defined with which the results of the simulation models were verified. Using this work, a future, more comprehensive system may be developed and commercialised, building from the techniques implemented here. / Thesis (MIng (Computer and Electronic Engineering))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013

It is known that Sweden is categorised by being one of the regions that experience low solar radiation because it is located in the northern hemisphere that has a low potential of solar radiation during the colder seasons. The government of Sweden aim to promote a more sustainable future by applying more renewable initiative in the energy sector. One of the initiatives is by applying more renewable energy where PV panels will play a greater role in our society and in the energy sector. However, the produced energy from the PV panels is unpredictable due to changes in radiation throughout the day. One great way to tackle this issue is by combining PV panels with different energy storage system. This thesis evaluates an off-grid rowhouse in Eskilstuna Sweden where the PV panels are combined with a heat pump, thermal storage tank, including batteries and hydrogen system. The yearly electrical demand is met by utilizing PV panels, battery system for short term usage and hydrogen system for long-term usage during the colder seasons. The yearly thermal demand is met by the thermal storage tank. The thermal storage tank is charged by heat losses from the hydrogen system and thermal energy from heat pump.The calculations were simulated in Excel and MATLAB where OPTI-CE is composed with different components in the energy system. Furthermore, the off-grid household was evaluated from an economic outlook with respect to today’s market including the potential price decrease in 2030.The results indicated that the selected household is technically practicable to produce enough energy. The PV panels produces 13 560 kWh annually where the total electrical demand reaches 6 125 kWh yearly (including required electricity for the heat pump). The annual energy demand in terms of electricity and thermal heat reaches 12 500 kWh which is covered by the simulated energy system. The overproduction is stored in the batteries and hydrogen storage for later use. The back-up diesel generator does not need to operate, indicating that energy system supplies enough energy for the off-grid household. The thermal storage tank stores enough thermal energy regarding to the thermal load and stores most of the heat during the summer when there are high heat losses due to the charge of the hydrogen system. The simulated energy system has a life cycle cost reaching approximately k$318 with a total lifetime of 25 years. A similar off-grid system has the potential to reduce the life cycle cost to k$195 if the energy system is built in 2030 with a similar lifespan. The reduction occurs due to the potential price reduction for different components utilized in the energy system.

Der Wandel von konventionellen Antriebskonzepten hin zu Alternativen wie der Brennstoffzellentechnologie vollzieht sich in einem sehr dynamischen Umfeld. Entsprechend komplex gestaltet sich die Problemstellung, eine Fabrik zum gegenwärtigen Zeitpunkt mit langfristigem wirtschaftlichem Erfolgspotential zu dimensionieren. Im folgenden Beitrag wird ein Ansatz vorgestellt, der die Einbeziehung der Umweltsituation in den Fabrikplanungsprozess ermöglicht. Unter Anwendung des System Dynamics-Ansatzes wird ein Simulationsmodell aufgebaut, welches die Auswirkungen von Umwelteinflüssen auf die Kapazitätsdimensionierung darstellt. Dabei werden Umweltdaten aus dem öffentlichen, technologischen und wirtschaftlichen Umfeld der Brennstoffzellenfertigung erhoben. Die so erhobenen Daten dienen als Grundlage für die Bestimmung von Modellierungsparametern, welche die wesentlichen Umwelteinflüsse repräsentieren. Im anschließenden Simulationslauf wird das dynamische Zusammenspiel der Einflüsse betrachtet und mit einer monetären Bewertung untersetzt. Die aus dem Simulationsmodell gewonnenen Ergebnisse belegen, dass die weitgehende Berücksichtigung von Umweltdaten im Umfeld der Brennstoffzellenfertigung praktikabel ist und zu vorteilhafteren Planungsergebnissen beitragen kann. / The shift from conventional drive concepts to alternatives such as fuel cell technology is taking place in a very dynamic environment. The problem of dimensioning a factory with long-term economic success potential is correspondingly complex. In the following paper an approach is presented which allows the inclusion of environmental factors into the factory planning process. Using the System Dynamics approach, a simulation model is built which represents the effects of environmental influences on capacity dimensioning. Environmental data from the public, technological and economic environment of fuel cell manufacturing are collected. The collected data serves as a basis for the determination of modeling parameters, which represents the main environmental influences. In the subsequent simulation run, the dynamic interaction of the influences is considered and underpinned with a monetary evaluation. The results obtained from the simulation model prove that the extensive consideration of environmental data in the environment of fuel cell production is practicable and can contribute to more advantageous planning results.