In the quest for sustainable energy, researchers have long sought ways to harness the power of renewable sources like wind and solar, but their intermittency poses a significant challenge. Enter Hamza Benzzine, a researcher at the ASELab, National School of Applied Sciences, Ibn Tofail University, Kenitra, Morocco, who has developed a groundbreaking approach to optimize hybrid renewable energy systems (HRES) using advanced control strategies.
Benzzine’s work, published in the journal Scientific African, focuses on a nonlinear Model Predictive Controller (MPC) implemented in a MATLAB–TRNSYS co-simulation framework. This innovative system coordinates the generation, storage, and reconversion of energy within an HRES that combines wind turbines, photovoltaic arrays, and hydrogen storage. The goal? To maximize the use of renewable energy while maintaining the hydrogen state-of-charge (SOC) within safe limits, ensuring that stored hydrogen can serve as a reliable energy vector or chemical feedstock.
The MPC-based optimization strategy looks ahead over a 6-hour rolling horizon, making decisions that anticipate future conditions. This anticipatory approach allows the system to reduce hydrogen consumption by 34.6% compared to a deterministic single-step strategy. It also halves the variance in the hydrogen state-of-charge and increases the hydrogen and oxygen co-production rate by 37%, leading to a higher overall conversion efficiency.
“By integrating predictive control, we can significantly enhance the reliability and efficiency of hybrid renewable energy systems,” Benzzine explains. “This approach not only optimizes the use of renewable resources but also ensures that the stored energy is available when needed, providing a robust solution for scalable hydrogen-centered HRES.”
The implications for the energy sector are profound. As the world moves towards decarbonization, the ability to store and dispatch renewable energy reliably is crucial. Benzzine’s research demonstrates that anticipatory, constraint-aware control can provide a pathway for reliable and scalable hydrogen-centered HRES. This could revolutionize the way we think about energy storage and distribution, making renewable energy sources more viable and reducing our dependence on fossil fuels.
Under a variable 1.2 MW demand profile, the scheme developed by Benzzine meets the load with a renewable penetration of 54%. This level of performance is a significant step forward in the quest for sustainable energy solutions. As the technology matures, it could pave the way for widespread adoption of hydrogen as an energy vector, transforming industries from transportation to manufacturing.
The research published in Scientific African, which translates to “The African Scientist,” highlights the growing contributions of African researchers to global energy solutions. Benzzine’s work is a testament to the innovative spirit driving progress in renewable energy technologies. As the energy sector continues to evolve, the insights gained from this study could shape the future of hydrogen-based energy systems, making them more efficient, reliable, and scalable. The potential for commercial impact is immense, offering new opportunities for investment and development in the renewable energy sector.