In the framework of an Italian research project, called i-NEXT (innovation for greeN Energy and eXchange in Trasportation), CNR-ITAE, together with other industrial partners, has developed a microgrid able to receive, as input, the energy coming from solar radiation and to deliver, as output, hydrogen and electricity for an electric and hydrogen vehicles fleet. A 100 kW photovoltaic plant, installed on the roof of a shed for vehicles recovering, is the energy source of the whole microgrid. Electricity produced supplies, from one hand, an on-site hydrogen production (by electrolysis) plant, and, from the other hand, an electric vehicles charging station. Two energy storages operates in the plant: a BESS (Battery Energy Storage System) of 100 kW and 300 kWh equipped with 16 sodium nickel chloride high temperature batteries, and a hydrogen storage of 350 l @ 350 bar. Hydrogen production supplies, through a hydrogen-refueling pump, hydrogen vehicles (two bikes and a minibus). The hydrogen plant consists of four sub systems: hydrogen production by electrolysis, compression system, high-pressure storage system and hydrogen dispenser for automotive applications. This experimental plant is able to generate in the hydrogen production sub system, through alkaline electrolyzer of 30 kWh: 6,64 Nm3/h of H2 with a gas purity of 99,995% (O2 < 5ppm and dew point < -60°C). The compression sub system consisted by three stage compressor with gas flow rate of 5,2 Nm3/h and a delivery pressure of 360 bar. After, the compressed H2 gas is stored in high-pressure tanks of 350 liters capacity allowing, in this way, a supply through dispenser system of an automotive tank of 150 liters @ 350 bar in less than thirty minutes. The plant, the first Italian one with these peculiar characteristics, is grid connected to the main through a transformer, increasing voltage up to 20 kV. BEES balances the energy coming from renewables and loads in order to minimize the energy exchange with the grid, supporting the energy independency of the overall system. Demand response control is active on the electrolyzer in order to make simultaneous the operating of the electrolyzer with photovoltaic energy production. A remote agent, through VPN (Virtual Private Network) connections, monitors and controls the overall system. It can send commands to BESS, in order to regulate the amount of active and reactive power to deliver, supporting the local grid regulation (grid frequency and voltage). Further, during the project, CNR-ITAE developed two innovative vehicles: a hydrogen hybrid minibus (batteries and fuel cell) and a pure electric last mile logistic mini-van. Details on the sustainable vehicles developed will be present during the workshop.

The Italian Smart Cities Project I-NEXT: sustainable mobility meets renewable energy and hydrogen

Vincenzo Antonucci;Francesco Sergi
2016

Abstract

In the framework of an Italian research project, called i-NEXT (innovation for greeN Energy and eXchange in Trasportation), CNR-ITAE, together with other industrial partners, has developed a microgrid able to receive, as input, the energy coming from solar radiation and to deliver, as output, hydrogen and electricity for an electric and hydrogen vehicles fleet. A 100 kW photovoltaic plant, installed on the roof of a shed for vehicles recovering, is the energy source of the whole microgrid. Electricity produced supplies, from one hand, an on-site hydrogen production (by electrolysis) plant, and, from the other hand, an electric vehicles charging station. Two energy storages operates in the plant: a BESS (Battery Energy Storage System) of 100 kW and 300 kWh equipped with 16 sodium nickel chloride high temperature batteries, and a hydrogen storage of 350 l @ 350 bar. Hydrogen production supplies, through a hydrogen-refueling pump, hydrogen vehicles (two bikes and a minibus). The hydrogen plant consists of four sub systems: hydrogen production by electrolysis, compression system, high-pressure storage system and hydrogen dispenser for automotive applications. This experimental plant is able to generate in the hydrogen production sub system, through alkaline electrolyzer of 30 kWh: 6,64 Nm3/h of H2 with a gas purity of 99,995% (O2 < 5ppm and dew point < -60°C). The compression sub system consisted by three stage compressor with gas flow rate of 5,2 Nm3/h and a delivery pressure of 360 bar. After, the compressed H2 gas is stored in high-pressure tanks of 350 liters capacity allowing, in this way, a supply through dispenser system of an automotive tank of 150 liters @ 350 bar in less than thirty minutes. The plant, the first Italian one with these peculiar characteristics, is grid connected to the main through a transformer, increasing voltage up to 20 kV. BEES balances the energy coming from renewables and loads in order to minimize the energy exchange with the grid, supporting the energy independency of the overall system. Demand response control is active on the electrolyzer in order to make simultaneous the operating of the electrolyzer with photovoltaic energy production. A remote agent, through VPN (Virtual Private Network) connections, monitors and controls the overall system. It can send commands to BESS, in order to regulate the amount of active and reactive power to deliver, supporting the local grid regulation (grid frequency and voltage). Further, during the project, CNR-ITAE developed two innovative vehicles: a hydrogen hybrid minibus (batteries and fuel cell) and a pure electric last mile logistic mini-van. Details on the sustainable vehicles developed will be present during the workshop.
2016
Istituto di Tecnologie Avanzate per l'Energia - ITAE
hydrogen mobility
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14243/326987
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