Charging dynamics of metal hydride hydrogen storage bed for small wind hybrid systems

Small hybrid wind systems are capable of storing and supplying power for residential applications. In this paper, the excess wind energy is converted into hydrogen by electrolysis and is stored in a metal hydride. Metal hydride beds are known for their high volumetric capacity compared to the compressed hydrogen storage, and offers hydrogen storage at a reasonable operating temperature and pressure. A system simulation model is developed in Matlab/Simulink platform for the dynamics of the metal hydride hydrogen storage system, which is charged by the wind energy. The thermal loads of the metal hydride storage system is met by passing water at ambient temperature for cooling the bed while hydrogen is being absorbed. The effect of the transient turbulent wind velocity profile on the storage system is analyzed. The thermal management of the storage system plays an important role in the overall design, and hence it is discussed in detail.