A Proposed Hybrid Model for Electric Power Generation: A Case Study of Rajasthan, India

ABSTRACT

In recent years, hybrid systems have been proved to be revolutionary concepts for meeting the deficit in electrical energy with better overall system reliability. The proposed system includes the combination of solar, wind, MHD (magneto-hydrodynamics) and fuel cell, to exploit the advantage of each, and reduce the dependency on any one source, and explores a new perspective for using renewable sources as a hybrid system. MHD generator is proposed as a substitute for the conventional thermal power plant. In the proposed hybrid system, both MHD and Modified PEMFC (Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell), also known as Proton Battery, are used. Both are static and totally sustainable energy sources. Moreover, the use of a proton battery offers an added advantage that it can work in a reversible mode. In the electrolyzer mode, the hydronium ions will be absorbed in the porous carbon electrode. In the fuel cell mode, the stored hydronium ions combine with free electrons and oxygen to give pure water as a by-product. The fuel cell is an environment-friendly alternative to the traditional energy storage system and also acts as an energy source for the MHD generator. In this manuscript, an attempt has been made to check the feasibility of the proposed system through a case study. The economic assessment and impact on the environment of the system is also investigated using HOMER Pro software. Simulink results are presented to justify the technical viability of the hybrid proposed model.

KEYWORDS:

• Fuel cell
• HOMER pro software
• MHD
• Solar
• Wind

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Parag Nijhawan

Parag Nijhawan is presently associate professor in the Electrical and Instrumentation Engineering Department at Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology, India. He received his BE and ME degrees in electrical engineering from the Punjab Technical University and Punjab Engineering College in India, respectively. He did his PhD in electrical engineering from National Institute of Technology, Kurukshetra. He has more than 19 years of work experience that includes teaching and research. His research focus includes renewable energy sources, power quality improvement, grounding and FACTS devices. E-mail: [email protected]

Manish Kumar Singla

Manish Kumar Singla is PhD Scholar in the Electrical and Instrumentation Engineering Department at Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology, India. He received his BE and ME degrees in electrical engineering from the Punjab Technical University and Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology, India, respectively. His current fields of interest include power systems, artificial intelligence, high voltage engineering, fuel cell. E-mail: [email protected]

Jyoti Gupta

Jyoti Gupta is PhD Scholar in the Electrical and Instrumentation Engineering Department at Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology, India. She received her BE and ME degrees in electrical engineering from the Punjab Technical University and Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology, India, respectively. Her current fields of interest include power systems, artificial intelligence, renewable energy.