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

Lucio Bonaccorsi, Rosario Carbone, Fabio La Foresta (), Concettina Marino, Antonino Nucara, Matilde Pietrafesa and Mario Versaci
Additional contact information
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

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 15, 1-33

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.

Keywords: green hydrogen; electrolysis; photovoltaic system; energy storage; fuel cell (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/15/3949/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/15/3949/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:15:p:3949-:d:1708798

Access Statistics for this article

Energies is currently edited by Ms. Agatha Cao

More articles in Energies from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().