World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology

International Journal of Electrical and Computer Engineering

Vol:8, No:2, 2014

Matlab/Simulink Simulation of Solar Energy Storage

System
Mustafa A. Al-Refai

ejected from the atmosphere. This is why hydrogen as a gas

Abstract—This paper investigates the energy storage (H2) is not found by itself on Earth. It is found only in
technologies that can potentially enhance the use of solar energy. compound form with other elements. Hydrogen combined
Water electrolysis systems are seen as the principal means of with oxygen, is water (H2O). Hydrogen combined with carbon
producing a large amount of hydrogen in the future. Starting from the forms different compounds, including methane (CH4), coal,
analysis of the models of the system components, a complete
simulation model was realized in the Matlab-Simulink environment. and petroleum. Hydrogen is also found in all growing things
Results of the numerical simulations are provided. The operation of for example, biomass. It is also an abundant element in the
International Science Index, Electrical and Computer Engineering Vol:8, No:2, 2014 waset.org/Publication/9997543

electrolysis and photovoltaic array combination is verified at various Earth's crust. Hydrogen has the highest energy content of any
insulation levels. It is pointed out that solar cell arrays and common fuel by weight (about three times more than
electrolysers are producing the expected results with solar energy gasoline), but the lowest energy content by volume (about four
inputs that are continuously varying. times less than gasoline) [6]. It is one of the most promising
alternative fuels for the future because it has the capability of
Keywords—Electrolyzer, Simulink, solar energy, storage system.
storing energy of high quality and it is in accordance with a
sustainable development. Hydrogen has therefore been
I. INTRODUCTION
visualized to become the cornerstone of future energy systems

T HE sun as the originator of all living creatures needed

many millions of years to create the fossil energy
materials, but mankind has almost totally used up all this
based on solar energy and other renewable energy sources [7].
The concept of using hydrogen as an energy carrier in storage
and transport of energy, i.e., the so-called hydrogen economy,
materials within a period of less than two hundred years. Now, has therefore been studies by many scientists. It is also this
the human intelligence has progressed to be capable of author’s belief strongly that particular attention should be paid
utilizing the sun energy directly. The reached sun energy to to hydrogen energy based systems. Hydrogen can be produced
our global are exceed the world Energy consumption for chemically from hydrocarbons (e.g., renewable fuels such as
approximately 6000 fold [2]. According to scientific studies methane, ethanol, or methanol), but this will not be considered
the total of all oil resources of the world will be exhausted in this paper. A more attractive option is to produce hydrogen
within 40 to 50 years [3]. Also the nuclear energy will not from water via water electrolysis, simply because of the
cover the world demand of the future in addition to the abundance of water on earth. The basic chemical reaction for
problems of its waste disposal hazards. The biggest energy splitting water in hydrogen and oxygen is
source represents the sun which mainly emits its energy by

  

   
  
electromagnetic waves onto the earth. Its solar constant

(1)
amounts 1353W/m2 [4], [5]. The solar constants indicate the
performance which reaches a surface of one-square meter,
situated externally of the earth atmosphere, which shows For this reaction to occur, an amount of energy must be
vertical to the emission direction. Every day the sun radiates, added, while the opposite reaction releases energy. The
or sends out an enormous amount of energy. As matter of fact oxygen in water electrolysis in last equation is usually release
the sun radiates more energy in one second than all the human to the atmosphere, but may be stored in an artificial structure
have used since the beginning of time [1]-[5]. To convert sun as well. Thus, in theory, if hydrogen is produced from natural
energy into electrical energy solar cells have proved to be energy resources the hydrogen cycle is 100% environmentally
excellent. Their factor of expenses has considerable decreased benign energy cycle, because solar energy for all practical
through the mass production. Most economical are those cells purposes can be regarded as an infinite source of energy, the
which possess an efficiency of approximately 25%. hydrogen cycle is one of the best options for a sustainable
Conversion of solar energy to chemical free energy in the future. Since water is one of the most abundant resources on
form of molecular hydrogen and oxygen is attractive because earth, covering three fourths of the earth’s surface. Hence
the products are stable, versatile, and nonpolluting. Hydrogen water electrolysis systems are seen as the principal means of
gas is so much lighter than air that it rises fast and is quickly producing a large amount of hydrogen in the future.

II. SOLAR ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM

Mustafa A. Al-Refai is an academic staff with the Dept of Electrical and Since electrical energy is capable of performing chemical
Electronic Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Tripoli University- Tripoli –
Libya (phone: +218 92 502 4704 ; fax: +218 333 46 506; e-mail: dralrefai@ work, it is possible to split the molecules of normal water into
hotmail.com).

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 World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology
International Journal of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Vol:8, No:2, 2014

the two gases namely Hydrogen and Oxygen. Hydrogen can hydrogen generation can lead a pathway for solar-based
be produced from solar energy and water by water energy generation to contribute directly to reducing the
electrolysis. Although the photo electrochemical (PEC) dependence on fossil fuel.
methods for direct water splitting are being developed, the
technically most viable path is by coupling a PV photovoltaic III. HYDROGEN ECONOMY
module or array to an electrolyze [8], [9]. Most of the Hydrogen is ecologically beneficial. Its combustion doesn’t
industrial electrolyzes used today in capacities up to several release carbon dioxides and sulfur dioxides are also not
thousand m3/hr are used on alkaline [koh] electrolyte. created. The only by-product is simple vapor. As well there is
Electrolyzes using a polymer, proton-conducting membrane no radioactivity produced. Hydrogen is absolutely
(PEM) as the electrolyte, are being developed, particularly for nonpoisonous. One kilogram of hydrogen releases at its
small-scale hydrogen generation [9]. In PV powered hydrogen combustion 33kW/h electrical energy. This is the threefold of
generation systems performance is limited by the efficiency of energy of benzene. In principle, then one can an envision an
PV's conversion of solar energy to electrical energy, which in energy economy in which hydrogen is produced from water
commercial devices is about 15%. Conversion efficiencies of and electrical energy, is stored until it is needed, is transmitted
newly developed multi-junction PV cells reached up to 42% to its point of use and there is burned as a fuel to produce
[8]. One of the important issues in photovoltaic/electrolysis electricity, heat or mechanical energy.
International Science Index, Electrical and Computer Engineering Vol:8, No:2, 2014 waset.org/Publication/9997543

(PV/EL) hydrogen generation systems is maximum power Hydrogen can be transmitted and distributed by pipeline in
transfer problem between two devices at different irradiance much the same way that natural gas is handled today. The
conditions. A typical PV system, maximum power points MPP movement of fuel by pipeline is one of the cheapest methods
change with irradiance and temperature. Usually, in directly of energy transmission; hydrogen pipeline would be no
connected systems, there is a mismatch between input PEM exception. A gas-delivery system is usually located
electrolysis I-V characteristic and output PV's MMP underground and is therefore inconspicuous. It also occupies
characteristic. To overcome this problem, PV/EL systems are less land area than an electric-power line. Hydrogen can also
usually supported with additional MPP tracker power be stored in a huge quantities by the very same techniques
electronic control device. To operate at the MPP, the MMP used for natural gas today.
tracker device sets optimum impedance harmony between PV
and EL system in response to irradiance variations. However, IV. SIMULINK MODELING SOLAR ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM
this causes additional cost and complexity of a number of
Each physical component of the proposed system is
smaller units-cells, which can be connected in series and/or in
modeled as a separate component subroutine and Simulink
parallel. With appropriate sizing optimization approaches of
block for a modular system simulation program. All of the
both PV and EL it is possible to directly connect these two
developed models are based on physical and chemical
systems. In this paper, a more effective, optimum sizing
principles, as well as empirical parameters. The models have
strategy of both devices is proposed for MPP natural tracking
been designed to be as general as possible and all the blocks
at a wide irradiance interval in directly connected PV/EL
take both design parameters, (such as number of cells in series
hydrogen generation systems. By this way we achieve a stored
and/or parallel) and specific component characteristics
solar energy which is even transportable Fig. 1 shows the
obtained from manufacturers (such us current-voltage curve)
proposed system. The main components of the system include
into account. Simulink offers the advantage of buildings
a PV-generator, an electrolyzer, and a hydrogen storage
hierarchical models, namely to have the possibility to view the
(compressed gas).
system at different levels. Thus each block can contain other
blocks, other levels.
A. Modeling of PV Panel
The mathematical model of the photovoltaic (PV) generator
is based on the one-diode equivalent circuit [9] as shown in
Fig. 3.

Fig. 1 Schematic of solar-energy storage system

This type of energy storage provides significant advantages

when compared to conventional batteries in terms of energy
density and long-term storage. By using an electrolyzer,
hydrogen conversion allows both storage and transportation of
large amounts of power at much higher energy densities. Thus,
Fig. 2 Model for a single solar cell

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 World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology
International Journal of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Vol:8, No:2, 2014

]NL
The relationship between the current I and the voltage V of = H$ 
O
Thermal voltage (7)
the equivalent circuit can be found by equating the light
current Iph, diode current ID, to the operation current I as
The previous equations have been translated into the
follows:
Simulink diagram shown in Fig. 3 and the masked model
 !"# $ shown in Fig. 4
          %&'  1) (2)
<Ga> G

where Iph the light current [A], Isat the diode reverse saturation <T > T
Iph
Ipv

Saturation
Ipv

current [A], Rs, the series resistance [Ω], V the operation Subsystem
Iph

voltage [V], and I the operation current [A]. T Voc Voc Isat

Vt

= charge of one electron1.602 . 10/0 1$,

Subsystem1 Product1
Subsystem3

q

T Vt

= Diode idealising factor, and Vt

2 = Boltzman’s constant 1.38 . 10/5 7/9$.

K
Subsystem7
36 V
Va
Vpv
Gai n Subsystem4
0.02025

T = Junction temperature in Kelvin. Constant3

Product
International Science Index, Electrical and Computer Engineering Vol:8, No:2, 2014 waset.org/Publication/9997543

When the PV module operates at its maximum power point,

the produced power is given by, Va

:;<  =;< . ;<  > . =?.@ . .@ (3)

Fig. 3 Subsystem implementation of generalized PV model

where =;< AB ;< are terminal voltage and output current
of PV module at maximum, power point (MPP), and > is the
cell fill factor which is a measure of cell quality.
The energy output in the form of current is directly
proportional to the energy input in the form of solar
irradiation. There is a small temperature coefficient, CD#E' on
the order of a few milliamps per degree Celsius to account for
temperature differences recognized empirically.
IJ
 F, H$  @ . K@L H  H $
IJ#
(4)

Fig. 4 Masked implementation of generalized PV model

where:
@ = Short circuit current at standard test condition,
F = Solar irradiance (W/m3)
The Simulink implementation of the PV module, illustrated

F = Solar irradiance at standard test condition (1000W/m3),

in Fig. 2, is used to perform a simulation of the PV module for

K@L =Temperature coefficient of short-circuit current.

different values of irradiation and cell temperature.

H = Cell temperature (oC) B. Electrolyzer Model

H = Cell temperature at standard test conditions (25 oC) An electrolyzer is a well known electrochemical device
The open circuit voltage under given environmental utilizing electrical current to decompose water into hydrogen
conditions is calculated as follows: and oxygen. It consists of several electrolyzer cells connected
in series. The current in comparison to voltage feature of an
NL D
=?@ F, H$  =?@  M?.@.L H  H $  ln R STT U electrolyzer depends on its working temperature [10]
O D#E#
(5)
according to Faraday's law, the production rate of hydrogen in
=?@
an electrolyzer cell is directly proportional to the transfer rate
= Open-circuit voltage at standard test condition.
M?.@.L = Temperature coefficient of open-circuit voltage, of electrons at the electrodes, which in turn is equivalent to the
; = Current at MPP electrical current in the circuit expressed in the following
equation,
Under open circuit condition;  F, H$   F, H$ `a .b% .
c
^_ 
V.E
d
(8)
But  F, H$   F, H$ .  W  1), Therefore
e^_ = Hydrogen production rate, mol s-1,
DTX I,L$ ed
 F, H$ 
= Faraday’s efficiency,
 '$
Z V.E'$ [
(6)
Y /\
W
nc = the number of electrolyzer cells in series
ie = electrolyzer current [A]

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 World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology
International Journal of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Vol:8, No:2, 2014

F = Faraday constant [C kmol−1]

The ratio between the actual and the theoretical maximum
amount of hydrogen produced in the electrolyzer is known as
Faraday efficiency. Assuming that the working temperature of
the electrolyzer is 40 °C, Faraday efficiency is expressed by:
i.ij lm.m
/ _
ed  96.5 . h kc kc
n (9)

According to (8) and (9), a simple electrolyzer model is

developed using Simulink, which is shown in Fig. 5.
Fig. 6 The Simulink model of the hydrogen storage system

V. SIMULATION RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The previously described models were assembled to present
the system depicted in Fig. 7.
International Science Index, Electrical and Computer Engineering Vol:8, No:2, 2014 waset.org/Publication/9997543

Fig. 5 The Simulink diagram of the electrolyzer model

Fig. 7 Solar-Energy Storage System
C. Hydrogen Storage Model
One of the hydrogen storage techniques is physical Some of the key model inputs are listed in the Table I.
hydrogen storage, which include using tanks to store either
compressed hydrogen gas or liquid hydrogen. The produced TABLE I
SYSTEM COMPONENTS PARAMETERS
hydrogen storage is stored in the tank whose system dynamics PV arry
can be expressed as follows: Power rating 1 kW

qr_ sLt
Short circuit current, Isc 5.0 A
:o  :o
 p . Open circuit voltage, Voc 22.1 V
u r _ vt
(10)
Coefficient of current, αscT (0.065±0.015)% mA/ºC

:o = Pressure of tank (pascal)

Coefficient of voltage, βocT (80±10) mV/ºC

:o
= Initial pressure of the storage tank(pascal)
Temperature coefficient of power (0.5±0.05)%/°C
Electrolyzer
R = universal (rydberg) gas constant(J/kmol K)
Ho = Operating temperature (K)
Rated power 500W

=o = Volume of the tank w5 $

Maximum operating power level 500W
Minimum operating power level 125W
Z = Compressibility factor as a function of the pressure,
yv
x  S , :  z{{| , =;  w}~A }~|w,
Hydrogen storage tank
sL Volume 3m3
H  €wzA€| Initial state of charge (soc) 50%
This model directly calculates the tank pressure using the Minimum limit of soc (H2 SOC MAX) 30%
ratio of hydrogen flow to the tank. Maximum limit of soc (H2 SOC MAX) 95%
All auxiliary power requirements such as pumps, valves,
fan and compression motor were ignored in the dynamic The models described in the previous section have been
model, the simulink model of the hydrogen storage is depicted implemented in the Matlab-Simulink environment. These
in Fig. 6. models have been verified, Figs. 8 and 9 show both the
current-voltage curve and the power curve obtained from the
simulation of PV module respectively

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 World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology
International Journal of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Vol:8, No:2, 2014

Fig. 8 Current voltage characteristic for PV Fig. 9 Power characteristic for PV

Figs. 10 and 11 show the results of the simulation of solar-

energy storage system.
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Fig. 10 Hydrogen moles per second delivered to storage tank

hydrogen storage tank is constantly increasing due to the

continuous supply of DC voltage to the electrolyzer.

VI. CONCLUSIONS
In this paper, the components of solar energy storage
system modeled and tested using solar radiation and
temperature as primary input and hydrogen as seasonal energy
storage. The components were modeled in the Simpower
Systems block of MATLAB Simulink. Renewable energy
sources are highly dependent on environmental conditions
such as season's weather. This storage energy system exhibits
excellent performance under variable different radiant and
Fig. 11 Hydrogen storage tank pressure temperature changes. We conclude that energy storage
systems have the potential to improve the attractiveness of
The results from the simulation showed that all of the key solar energy in Libya both technically and economically,
component models were sufficiently accurate to perform short especially in the future with greater development of solar
and long-term system simulation studies. The output of the power resources. Energy storage can help to mitigate technical

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 World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology
International Journal of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Vol:8, No:2, 2014

issues associated with solar, wind and other intermittent

generator integration with utility grids. More importantly,
energy storage can mitigate the intermittent nature of
renewable energy, its significant unpredictability, and its off-
peak availability, making solar power better able to integrate
with electricity markets and match typical electricity demand
profiles.

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Spectrum Analysis in Search for Periodicities in Solar Irradiance Time
Series Data From Erbs"
[5] http://www.solarviews.com/eng/sun.htm
International Science Index, Electrical and Computer Engineering Vol:8, No:2, 2014 waset.org/Publication/9997543

[6] Huashan Lia, Yongwang Liana, Xianlong Wang a, Weibin Maa, Liang
Zhao" Solar Constant Values for Estimating Solar Radiation", Energy
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[8] Cédric Philibert “The Present and Future Use of Solar Thermal Energy
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