System optimization and cost estimation of high-efficiency solar to hydrogen system consisting of concentrator photovoltaic modules and electrolyzers

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 18K05015
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 31020:Earth resource engineering, Energy sciences-related
• Research Institution: University of Miyazaki
• Principal Investigator: Yasuyuki Ota 宮崎大学, 工学部, 准教授 (10518450)
• Project Period (FY): 2018-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 集光型太陽電池 / 固体高分子型水電解 / Power to Gass

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The combination of photovoltaics, which can be directly converted from sunlight to electricity, and water electrolysis is expected for producing hydrogen. We demonstrated more than 18% in solar to hydrogen conversion efficiency of the solar to hydrogen system consisting of concentrator photovoltaics and electrolyzer under actual outdoor operations. In addition, it was clarified that methane could be continuously synthesized by the catalytic reaction of hydrogen, which was produced by sunlight, and carbon dioxide.

Free Research Field

太陽光エネルギー

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

太陽電池と水電解から得られるCO2フリー水素の社会実装のために、本屋外実証システムから得られた実稼働データは、太陽光水素生成効率の向上のほか、システムの耐久性向上や水素生成コスト試算モデルの構築を可能とする。実際の太陽光をもとにした水素もしくはメタン生成は、貯蔵可能なエネルギーを地域で生成することが可能となり、エネルギーの地産地消が実現できる。