Investigation of a Novel Hybrid Photovoltaic/thermal Power System Integrated with Thermally Regenerative Electrochemical Cycle

Tang, Xin

Abstract

The effective utilization of solar energy always attracts global attention. Photovoltaic/photothermal collector, a technology for generating electrical and thermal energy simultaneously, presents a high overall energy conversion efficiency due to absorbing full-spectrum solar radiation. However, it suffers from modest electrical efficiency owing to the PV efficiency being negatively pertinent to the temperature, that is, it decreases at a high temperature brought by the thermal energy in the PV/T collector. To surmount this shortage, this research proposed a hybrid power generation system of a combination of photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) and thermally regenerative electrochemical cycle (TREC). This is an effective and promising method to improve the electricity generation efficiency of solar energy by converting the low-grade heat from the thermal energy of PV/T into electricity via TREC. The concept and mathematic model of the hybrid PV/T-TREC system are developed based on the working principle and characteristics of PV/T and TREC. Experimental work is performed to validate/refine the simulation models. Parametric analysis and comparative study, annual performance prediction of PV, PV/T, and PV/T-TREC systems are conducted to demonstrate the feasibility and superiority of the novel system. The TREC test achieves a record-breaking temperature coefficient of -5 mV K-1 with an energy conversion efficiency of up to 2.83% (31.5% versus Carnot efficiency) at the temperature difference of 30 °C, and further reaches 5.66% (62.86% of Carnot efficiency) on the condition of 80% heat recuperation. Overall electrical performance in all the scenarios of different configurations of the hybrid system outperforms the PV/T system, and both are superior to standalone PV system because of the electricity enhanced by the TREC from the low-grade heat, this trend is more evident in the high solar radiation conditions, e.g., in Phoenix city, the hybrid PV/T-TREC can generate 1.98% and 2.34% more electricity than the standalone PV/T and PV systems. This research may enrich the renewable and sustainable power generation technology, as well as guide the design, optimization, and application of the novel hybrid PV/T-TREC power generator to expedite the net zero.

Citation

Tang, X. (2023). Investigation of a Novel Hybrid Photovoltaic/thermal Power System Integrated with Thermally Regenerative Electrochemical Cycle. (Thesis). University of Hull. https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4448471

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Nov 21, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Jan 2, 2028
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4448471
• Additional Information: Department of Engineering; University of Hull
• Award Date: Oct 12, 2023