The development of optimal design strategies for large-scale hydrogen integration with different power grid network configurations and power conversion technologies is essential for maximizing energy efficiency and minimizing costs. A postdoc research project at TU/e is proposed, focused on the hardware design of new DC power electronics to significantly reduce its weight while maintaining high efficiency. Moreover, the study will also investigate interactions between the power electronics and the electrolyzers, and propose a new control of DC power electronics to minimize the life-time degradation of electrolyzers caused by the flexible operations. The optimal design of the power electronics converter with advanced control designed by TU/e will be tested with electrolyzers from HET.
The overall objective of this project is to develop the efficient power electronics converters for large-scale offshore windfarm applications . Specifically, the following key aspects will be explored.
- Investigation of different dc converter topologies and control algorithms for the offshore wind power to hydrogen applications.
- Advanced topologies and optimal control of high-power medium voltage DC/DC converter to minimize the life-time degradation of electrolyzers.
- Integration and testing of the power converter with 25 kW high-pressure (100 bar) electrolyzer stacks