Developing a tool for sizing and comparison of solar power storage systems.

Abstract: This thesis presents the methodology to optimize the components of different storage technologies, i.e. hydrogen and batteries, integrated to photovoltaic system for hourly demand and annual-hourly irradiance values. The tool also allows comparing these two systems from techno-economic and environmental perspectives. Three case studies were performed to optimize and compare storage options for 10 households located in Perth, Australia, Barcelona, Spain and Stockholm, Sweden. The achieved results revealed that the battery storage system is more economical for a lower percentage of demand coverage and the hydrogen storage system is more economical with greater demand coverage. The switchover point for one system being more favorable over the other depends on the irradiance and power demand and hence is location dependent. This switchover point occurs at 78% of power demand covered for Perth and 72.5% power demand covered for Barcelona. There is no switchover point for Stockholm as the two systems do not economically overlap. Only the hydrogen-based storage system economically and environmentally feasible standalone system for Perth and Barcelona with an LCOE of 0.387 US$/kWh and 0.589 US$/kWh respectively. Neither of the systems gives favorable results for Stockholm.