Simulation of PEM Electrolyzer Power Management with Renewable Generation in Owerri, Nigeria

MacMatthew C. Ahaotu, Chisom E. Ogbogu, Jesse Thornburg () and Isdore Onyema Akwukwaegbu
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MacMatthew C. Ahaotu: Department of Electrical Engineering, School of Electrical Systems and Engineering Technology, Federal University of Technology Owerri, Owerri PMB 1526, Nigeria
Chisom E. Ogbogu: College of Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University Africa, Kigali BP 6150, Rwanda
Jesse Thornburg: College of Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University Africa, Kigali BP 6150, Rwanda
Isdore Onyema Akwukwaegbu: Department of Electrical Engineering, School of Electrical Systems and Engineering Technology, Federal University of Technology Owerri, Owerri PMB 1526, Nigeria

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 1, 1-23

Abstract: Proton exchange membrane electrolyzers are an attractive technology for hydrogen production due to their high efficiency, low maintenance cost, and scalability. To receive these benefits, however, electrolyzers require high power reliability and have relatively high demand. Due to their intermittent nature, integrating renewable energy sources like solar and wind has traditionally resulted in a supply too sporadic to consistently power a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer. This study develops an electrolyzer model operating with renewable energy sources at a highly instrumented university site. The simulation uses dynamic models of photovoltaic solar and wind systems to develop models capable of responding to changing climatic and seasonal conditions. The aim therefore is to observe the feasibility of operating a proton exchange membrane system fuel cell year-round at optimal efficiency. To address the problem of feasibility with dynamic renewable generation, a case study demonstrates the proposed energy management system. A site with a river onsite is chosen to ensure sufficient wind resources. Aside from assessing the feasibility of pairing renewable generation with proton exchange membrane systems, this project shows a reduction in the intermittency plaguing previous designs. Finally, the study quantifies the performance and effectiveness of the PEM energy management system design. Overall, this study highlights the potential of proton exchange membrane electrolysis as a critical technology for sustainable hydrogen production and the importance of modeling and simulation techniques in achieving its full potential.

Keywords: PEM electrolysis; electrolyzer; fuel cell; hydrogen; renewable energy; proton exchange membrane; power management; dynamic model; optimal efficiency (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: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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