Hossein Ghadamian - Department of Energy, Materials and Energy Research Center (MERC), Tehran, Iran
Hassan Ali Ozgoli - Department of Mechanical Engineering, Iranian Research Organization for Science and Technology (IROST), Tehran, Iran
Mojtaba Baghban Yousefkhani - Department of Energy, Materials and Energy Research Center (MERC), Tehran, Iran
Foad Farhani - Department of Mechanical Engineering, Iranian Research Organization for Science and Technology (IROST), Tehran, Iran

Regenerative Fuel Cell (RFC) systems are used for the enhancement of sustainable energy aspect in conventional fuel cells. In this study, a photovoltaic-electrolyzer-fuel cell integrated cycle has been presented. The proposed system has been designed as a novel approach for alleviating the restrictions  on energy streams in the RFC systems. Modeling of the system has been performed from the mass and energy point of view, based on both theoretical and practical procedures. To generate electricity from hydrogen, a proton exchange membrane fuel cell, integrated with an electrolyzer system which works by solar energy, has been used. Optimized results of required photovoltaic area have shown significantdifferences between theoretical and practical approaches. Moreover, all efficiencies of two scenarios including total efficiency have been indicated and analyzed. The main advantage of this system in comparison with single solar systems, is generation of internal energy of about ۲.۳ kW for producing ۱ kW electricity by the fuel cell.

Regenerative Fuel Cell (RFC), Modeling, Integration, Photovoltaic, Electrolysis, General Algebraic Modeling System (GAMS)