Distributed control of a user-on-demand renewable-energy power-source system using battery and hydrogen hybrid energy-storage devices

Abstract A user-on-demand power source based on renewable energy requires storage devices to balance power sources and power demands because of the fluctuation of power sources like solar cells or wind power generators. The role of the control system is defined as two different tasks: allowing a power-flow imbalance between demand and power sources; and balancing the power flow inside the system. Since this control is complicated, many control methods using precise calculation of the power balance have been proposed. An analogue-like distributed control method - named “modified DC-bus signalling” - for controlling a renewable-energy power source without the need for a central processing unit is proposed. The modified DC bus signalling method discussed in this paper is composed of a DC-bus line connected with a battery, water-splitting electrochemical cell, and a fuel cell for hydrogen-energy storage via converters. The proposed control method was demonstrated to be able to control step-like and random changes in input and output power. The battery compensated high-frequency fluctuations in power demand, and the electrochemical cell and fuel cell handled the remaining low-frequency ones, which were matched to their response speeds.