IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jeners/v18y2025i15p3949-d1708798.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Operational Analysis of a Pilot-Scale Plant for Hydrogen Production via an Electrolyser Powered by a Photovoltaic System

Author

Listed:
  • Lucio Bonaccorsi

    (Department of Civil, Energetic, Environmental and Material Engineering, Mediterranea University of Reggio Calabria, Via Zehender, 89100 Reggio Calabria, Italy)

  • Rosario Carbone

    (Department of Information Engineering, Infrastructures and Sustainable Energy, Mediterranea University of Reggio Calabria, Via Zehender, 89100 Reggio Calabria, Italy)

  • Fabio La Foresta

    (Department of Civil, Energetic, Environmental and Material Engineering, Mediterranea University of Reggio Calabria, Via Zehender, 89100 Reggio Calabria, Italy)

  • Concettina Marino

    (Department of Civil, Energetic, Environmental and Material Engineering, Mediterranea University of Reggio Calabria, Via Zehender, 89100 Reggio Calabria, Italy)

  • Antonino Nucara

    (Department of Civil, Energetic, Environmental and Material Engineering, Mediterranea University of Reggio Calabria, Via Zehender, 89100 Reggio Calabria, Italy)

  • Matilde Pietrafesa

    (Department of Civil, Energetic, Environmental and Material Engineering, Mediterranea University of Reggio Calabria, Via Zehender, 89100 Reggio Calabria, Italy)

  • Mario Versaci

    (Department of Civil, Energetic, Environmental and Material Engineering, Mediterranea University of Reggio Calabria, Via Zehender, 89100 Reggio Calabria, Italy)

Abstract

This study presents preliminary findings from an experimental campaign conducted on a pilot-scale green hydrogen production plant powered by a photovoltaic (PV) system. The integrated setup, implemented at the University “Mediterranea” of Reggio Calabria, includes renewable energy generation, hydrogen production via electrolysis, on-site storage, and reconversion through fuel cells. The investigation assessed system performance under different configurations (on-grid and selective stand-alone modes), focusing on key operational phases such as inerting, purging, pressurization, hydrogen generation, and depressurization. Results indicate a strong linear correlation between the electrolyser’s power setpoint and the pressure rise rate, with a maximum gradient of 0.236 bar/min observed at 75% power input. The system demonstrated robust and stable operation, efficient control of shutdown sequences, and effective integration with PV input. These outcomes support the technical feasibility of small-scale hydrogen systems driven by renewables and offer valuable reference data for calibration models and future optimization strategies.

Suggested Citation

  • Lucio Bonaccorsi & Rosario Carbone & Fabio La Foresta & Concettina Marino & Antonino Nucara & Matilde Pietrafesa & Mario Versaci, 2025. "Operational Analysis of a Pilot-Scale Plant for Hydrogen Production via an Electrolyser Powered by a Photovoltaic System," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(15), pages 1-33, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:15:p:3949-:d:1708798
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/15/3949/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/15/3949/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Behgol Bagheri & Hiromu Kumagai & Michio Hashimoto & Masakazu Sugiyama, 2025. "Techno-Economic Assessment of Green Hydrogen Production in Australia Using Off-Grid Hybrid Resources of Solar and Wind," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(13), pages 1-18, June.
    2. Serban, Ioan, 2018. "A control strategy for microgrids: Seamless transfer based on a leading inverter with supercapacitor energy storage system," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 221(C), pages 490-507.
    3. Zhongjian Kang & Shijie Liu, 2024. "Research on Capacity Optimization Configuration of Renewable Energy Off Grid Hydrogen Production System Considering Collaborative Electrolysis," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(8), pages 1-15, April.
    4. Marino, C. & Nucara, A. & Panzera, M.F. & Pietrafesa, M. & Varano, V., 2019. "Energetic and economic analysis of a stand alone photovoltaic system with hydrogen storage," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 142(C), pages 316-329.
    5. Rosario Carbone & Concettina Marino & Antonino Nucara & Maria Francesca Panzera & Matilde Pietrafesa, 2019. "Electric Load Influence on Performances of a Composite Plant for Hydrogen Production from RES and its Conversion in Electricity," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(22), pages 1-15, November.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Maestre, V.M. & Ortiz, A. & Ortiz, I., 2021. "Challenges and prospects of renewable hydrogen-based strategies for full decarbonization of stationary power applications," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 152(C).
    2. Østergaard, P.A. & Lund, H. & Thellufsen, J.Z. & Sorknæs, P. & Mathiesen, B.V., 2022. "Review and validation of EnergyPLAN," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 168(C).
    3. Haifeng Liang & Yue Dong & Yuxi Huang & Can Zheng & Peng Li, 2018. "Modeling of Multiple Master–Slave Control under Island Microgrid and Stability Analysis Based on Control Parameter Configuration," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(9), pages 1-18, August.
    4. Haris, Muhammad & Hasan, Muhammad Noman & Qin, Shiyin, 2021. "Early and robust remaining useful life prediction of supercapacitors using BOHB optimized Deep Belief Network," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 286(C).
    5. Yang, Chao & Yao, Wei & Fang, Jiakun & Ai, Xiaomeng & Chen, Zhe & Wen, Jinyu & He, Haibo, 2019. "Dynamic event-triggered robust secondary frequency control for islanded AC microgrid," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 242(C), pages 821-836.
    6. Ali, Hayder & Khan, Hassan Abbas, 2020. "Techno-economic evaluation of two 42 kWp polycrystalline-Si and CIS thin-film based PV rooftop systems in Pakistan," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 152(C), pages 347-357.
    7. Gul, Eid & Baldinelli, Giorgio & Bartocci, Pietro & Bianchi, Francesco & Domenghini, Piergiovanni & Cotana, Franco & Wang, Jinwen, 2022. "A techno-economic analysis of a solar PV and DC battery storage system for a community energy sharing," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 244(PB).
    8. Wang, Yangyang & Liu, Yangyang & Xu, Zaifeng & Yin, Kexin & Zhou, Yaru & Zhang, Jifu & Cui, Peizhe & Ma, Shinan & Wang, Yinglong & Zhu, Zhaoyou, 2024. "A review on renewable energy-based chemical engineering design and optimization," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 189(PB).
    9. Tuyet Thi Anh Nguyen & Shuo-Yan Chou, 2022. "Fusion of interval-valued neutrosophic sets and financial assessment for optimal renewable energy portfolios with uncertainties," Energy & Environment, , vol. 33(4), pages 783-808, June.
    10. Feng, Wenxiu & Ruiz Mora, Carlos, 2023. "Risk Management of Energy Communities with Hydrogen Production and Storage Technologies," DES - Working Papers. Statistics and Econometrics. WS 36274, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid. Departamento de Estadística.
    11. Guido Cavraro & Tommaso Caldognetto & Ruggero Carli & Paolo Tenti, 2019. "A Master/Slave Approach to Power Flow and Overvoltage Control in Low-Voltage Microgrids," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(14), pages 1-22, July.
    12. Superchi, Francesco & Papi, Francesco & Mannelli, Andrea & Balduzzi, Francesco & Ferro, Francesco Maria & Bianchini, Alessandro, 2023. "Development of a reliable simulation framework for techno-economic analyses on green hydrogen production from wind farms using alkaline electrolyzers," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 207(C), pages 731-742.
    13. Alessandro Burgio & Daniele Menniti & Nicola Sorrentino & Anna Pinnarelli & Zbigniew Leonowicz, 2020. "Influence and Impact of Data Averaging and Temporal Resolution on the Assessment of Energetic, Economic and Technical Issues of Hybrid Photovoltaic-Battery Systems," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-26, January.
    14. Wenxiao Chu & Francesco Calise & Neven Duić & Poul Alberg Østergaard & Maria Vicidomini & Qiuwang Wang, 2020. "Recent Advances in Technology, Strategy and Application of Sustainable Energy Systems," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(19), pages 1-29, October.
    15. Mazzeo, Domenico & Herdem, Münür Sacit & Matera, Nicoletta & Wen, John Z., 2022. "Green hydrogen production: Analysis for different single or combined large-scale photovoltaic and wind renewable systems," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 200(C), pages 360-378.
    16. Mi, Yang & Chen, Xin & Ji, Hongpeng & Ji, Liang & Fu, Yang & Wang, Chengshan & Wang, Jianhui, 2019. "The coordinated control strategy for isolated DC microgrid based on adaptive storage adjustment without communication," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 252(C), pages 1-1.
    17. Masmoudi, Abdelkarim & Abdelkafi, Achraf & Krichen, Lotfi & Saidi, Abdelaziz Salah, 2022. "An experimental approach for improving stability in DC bus voltage of a stand-alone photovoltaic generator," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 257(C).
    18. Bhandari, Ramchandra & Subedi, Subodh, 2023. "Evaluation of surplus hydroelectricity potential in Nepal until 2040 and its use for hydrogen production via electrolysis," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 212(C), pages 403-414.
    19. Brandao, Danilo I. & de Araújo, Lucas S. & Caldognetto, Tommaso & Pomilio, José A., 2018. "Coordinated control of three- and single-phase inverters coexisting in low-voltage microgrids," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 228(C), pages 2050-2060.
    20. Yang, Bo & Wang, Jingbo & Sang, Yiyan & Yu, Lei & Shu, Hongchun & Li, Shengnan & He, Tingyi & Yang, Lei & Zhang, Xiaoshun & Yu, Tao, 2019. "Applications of supercapacitor energy storage systems in microgrid with distributed generators via passive fractional-order sliding-mode control," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 187(C).

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:15:p:3949-:d:1708798. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.