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A research team led by Australia’s University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney has developed two low-power ride-through strategies for standalone photovoltaic-electrolyzer systems, according to a study published in Applied Energy.
Low-power ride-through is a control capability that enables electrical equipment to remain connected and operate at reduced power during brief grid disturbances such as voltage sags or partial power loss. In solar-driven electrolyzers, this approach maintains system stability during drops in solar output by aligning the electrolyzer’s power demand with the reduced electricity supply.
The study compared single-stage and dual-stage converter architectures for standalone PV-electrolyzer systems. Because photovoltaic modules and electrolyzers operate at different voltage-current ranges, a power interface in the form of a DC/DC converter is required to match the two systems. A single-stage configuration uses one converter to directly link the PV array to the electrolyzer, offering simplicity but limited control flexibility. A dual-stage architecture introduces an intermediate DC link with two converters, allowing more independent control and improving system flexibility and stability under variable solar conditions.
The dual-stage system operates in two modes. In mode one, the PV array runs under maximum power point tracking while the DC link is regulated, allowing the electrolyzer to follow available solar power. In mode two, the DC link is regulated and electrolyzer current is held constant, enabling precise control of hydrogen production. However, sudden drops in solar power in this mode can create a mismatch between generation and demand, potentially causing DC-link voltage instability. Low-power ride-through addresses this by either reducing electrolyzer current to match the available PV power or switching back to mode one.
The proposed approach was evaluated through simulation and experimental validation. A detailed 5 kW system model was developed, including the PV array, electrolyzer, and power electronic converters, and tested under dynamic conditions such as sudden reductions in solar irradiance. Experimental validation used a 200 W laboratory prototype based on a gallium nitride converter, confirming the simulation results under real operating conditions.
The dual-stage converter maintained hydrogen production of 0.58 to 1.01 Nm3/h with electrolyzer system efficiency as high as 96.75% to 97.12% under a 50% irradiance reduction. The control-mode switching strategy stabilized the system in less than 0.5 seconds. The researchers also found that electrolyzer efficiency increases as input power decreases, for example from 81.42% at 5 kW to 97.18% at 2.04 kW.
The researchers noted that a single-stage converter is sufficient for small-scale systems, but a dual-stage architecture becomes essential for scaling up PV-electrolyzer applications to industrial levels. At larger scales, significant voltage mismatches make staged power conversion and advanced control features critical for reliable and efficient operation.
The study was conducted by scientists from UNSW Sydney, Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands, and the University of Bath in the United Kingdom.
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