hydrogen

Hydrogen fuel cells promise to be a sustainable alternative to fossil fuel or battery-electric material handling equipment (MHE) in various production or warehouse contexts. Short refuelling times, an absence of carbon emissions, and constant power input put fuel cell-powered MHE at an advantage in high-intensity work environments. However, various barriers to the adoption of fuel cells remain, including considerations surrounding cost and efficiency.

The main goal of assembling a self-sufficient microgrid is to integrate all technical equipment into an autonomous energy supply system as a virtual power plant (VPP). The system integration focuses on the power electronic devices and the combination of gas and electrical supply chains. The developed microgrid structure is fed from renewable energy systems (green hydrogen), the electrical grid and the H2 gas grid with a liquid or gaseous energy source. In comparison to an island grid, the microgrid can be operated in parallel mode with the common public grid. The associated challenges of transient energy flows and the holistic view of a regulated microgrid based on an electrical grid and an H2 gas network are part of this article.