Abstract:
Integration of renewable energy on a large scale into the grid poses a huge problem for the stability of the grid due to the variations that arise with most renewable energy resources like solar and wind. Sustainable energy storage systems must be put in place to boost the penetration of renewable energy sources in the grid. These energy storages help in achieving power quality, help in load following and leveling and managing energy seasonal shifting among other functions. This work designed and simulated long-duration power-to-gas systems of hydrogen and methane energy storages coupled to a solar system to analyze the technical, economic performance and environmental emissions of the systems. 3 energy storage systems have been designed, one with hydrogen only, one with synthetic natural gas and one with a combination of hydrogen and synthetic natural gas. The weather conditions of the Salima district in Malawi have been used in the designing of the systems. HOMERPRO software has been used as a design and simulation tool, to provide an optimized system of the designed systems. Having a hybrid system of SNG and hydrogen can help achieve a higher percentage of renewable penetration into the grid because the storage systems can complement the PV when the PV is not able to produce electricity. This system can also help in the reduction of emissions like carbon dioxides and sulfur oxides and a reduction in the cost of energy and the net present cost.
