Simulation of a Hybrid Plant with ICE/HT-PEMFC and On-Site Hydrogen Production from Methane Steam Reforming

Hydrogen-based technologies, prominently fuel cells, are emerging as strategic solutions for decarbonization. They offer an efficient and clean alternative to fossil fuels for electricity generation, making a tangible contribution to the European Green Deal climate objectives. The primary issue is the production and transportation of hydrogen. An on-site hydrogen production system that includes CO2 capture could be a viable solution. The proposed power system integrates an internal combustion engine (ICE) with a steam methane reformer (SMR) equipped with a CO2 capture and energy storage system to produce “blue hydrogen”. The hydrogen fuels a high-temperature polymer electrolyte membrane (HTPEM) fuel cell. A battery pack, incorporated into the system, manages rapid fluctuations in electrical load, ensuring stability and continuity of supply and enabling the fuel cell to operate at a fixed point under nominal conditions. This hybrid system utilizes natural gas as its primary source, reducing climate-altering emissions and representing an efficient and sustainable solution. The simulation was conducted in two distinct environments: Thermoflex code for the integration of the engine, reformer, and CO2 capture system; and Matlab/Simulink for fuel cell and battery pack sizing and dynamic system behavior analysis in response to user-demanded load variations, with particular attention to energy flow management within the simulated electrical grid. The main results show an overall efficiency of the power system of 39.9% with a 33.5% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to traditional systems based solely on internal combustion engines.