Real-Time Emulation of a Hydrogen-Production Process for Assessment of an Active Wind-Energy Conversion System

This paper presents the real-time emulation of a hydrogen-production process for assessment of an active wind- energy conversion system. The hardware-in-the-loop emulator of the electrolyzer consists of a power-electronic stage and a control stage. In the control board, the algorithmic equations of the electrolyzer modeling and its control should be implemented, as well as the emulator´s power converter control. The causal ordering graph is used to model the electrolyzer and its auxiliary equipment. This model is capable of characterizing the relations among the different physical quantities and can be used to design the control system, ensuring an efficient and reliable operation of the electrolyzer. The proposed control method can manage the power and hydrogen flows. The simulation results have highlighted the variation domains and the relations among different physical quantities. The experimental results of the real-time emulation is based on a PHOEBUS advanced alkaline electrolyzer and shows the same electrical characteristics in real time with hardware.