Control of Solar Photovoltaic-Powered Green Hydrogen Production

Green hydrogen production, powered by renewable energy, has emerged as a cornerstone for a sustainable energy future. As the world transitions away from fossil fuels, green hydrogen offers a carbon-neutral alternative for applications in transportation, industry, and energy storage. This chapter presents a model to simulate the production of green hydrogen using solar power, focusing specifically on efficiency improvements through the integration of a Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) controller. The model simulates the intricate dynamics of energy conversion and hydrogen generation, capturing the process’s response to varying solar irradiance. Unlike conventional hydrogen production methods reliant on carbon-intensive processes, this approach uses solar energy, a clean and renewable resource, to power the electrolysis of water, thus emitting zero greenhouse gases. As solar energy is inherently variable due to changes in weather conditions and time of day, this research integrates PID controller to stabilize the system, ensuring consistent hydrogen output despite fluctuations in solar power availability. By regulating the electrolyzer’s operation, the PID controller effectively manages power inconsistencies, optimizing both energy utilization and hydrogen yield.