Development of a laboratory installation for model-based control of energy supply in hybrid PEM–PV systems for green ammonia synthesis
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33216/1998-7927-2025-294-8-52-57Keywords:
green ammonia, PEM electrolysis, photovoltaic generation, model predictive control (MPC), hybrid energy system, digital twin, energy efficiency, Power-to-AmmoniaAbstract
The article is devoted to the development of a laboratory setup for researching methods of model-based predictive control of energy supply in hybrid energy technology systems for green ammonia synthesis based on PEM electrolysis and photovoltaic generation. The relevance of the work is due to the global transition to carbon-neutral energy and the growing role of green hydrogen and ammonia as strategic energy carriers. Unlike approaches focused on optimising individual subsystems, the study implements an integrated method for controlling the entire Power-to-Ammonia technological chain, taking into account the dynamics of energy flows, changes in weather and climate conditions, and fluctuations in electricity tariffs.
The proposed installation includes a hybrid power supply system (PV, storage battery, grid, hybrid inverter), a PEM electrolyser with a capacity of 300 ml H₂/min, a hydrogen buffer storage and compression module, an ammonia synthesis reactor based on the Haber-Bosch process, and an automated real-time parameter monitoring system. Based on the collected experimental data, mathematical models are calibrated, the stability and accuracy of MPC algorithms are verified, and empirical dependencies are formed for further optimisation of operating modes.
In addition, model predictive control allows for the inertia of system elements, electrolyser degradation processes, and the instability of renewable energy generation to be taken into account, ensuring flexible adaptation of synthesis modes to external disturbances. The results obtained confirm the possibility of reducing the specific energy consumption of synthesis, improving the stability of the technological process, and ensuring a reliable energy supply under conditions of variable solar generation. The developed experimental basis is an instrumental platform for further research and scaling of the technology to an industrial level.
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