The aim of this work is to study the viability and the performance of a new setup designed to supply electricity to an isolated place. A classical setup is composed of photovoltaic modules which convert the solar energy in electricity and batteries which allow the energy storage and its further release. The weak point of such a setup is the high number of load-unload cycle of the batteries which reduce their life time. The idea here is to complete the classical setup by adding an electrolytic cell - Hydride tank- Fuel cell combination. The electrolytic cell runs during Spring and Summer time when the solar energy is in excess. Hydrogen is then stored whithin the hydride tank and re-used during Autumn and Winter time by the fuel cell which completed the supply of electricity provided by the batteries.

Results :

Theorical models have been developped for each element of the setup (photovoltaic modules, baterries, electrolytic cell, hydride tank, fuel cell, ) and used to simulate working condition. The simulations (over one typical year) of the classical setup and the new setup have then revealed that their performance are comparable. Further optimisation could nevertheless be done to increase performance of the new setup (Guyez, Master 2002 ).

SUPERISOR : Pierre Baurens, Engineer CEA: pierre.baurens@cea.fr