A Case-Study Plant for a Sustainable Redevelopment of Buildings Based on Storage and Reconversion of Hydrogen Generated by Using Solar Energy

In todays process of decarbonisation and transition to a green economy based on distributed and sustainable energy production, hydrogen is considered the most promising energy carrier, thanks to its multiple properties. It is clean, versatile and has a high combustion efficiency and more importantly, renewable energy could be used as a primary source for hydrogen production near the end use point, making full use of local energy potential. Nevertheless, the current cost of its technology still requires further research and development, necessary to obtain its rapid and effective launch onto the market. Moreover, hydrogen storage and distribution infrastructures, fundamental to make it usable and competitive, are currently lacking. In this framework, the paper analyses a photovoltaic (PV) system, equipped with hydrogen storage and reconversion subsystems. The technological plant is basically aimed to be easily integrated into buildings for their sustainable redevelopment. At this stage, the presented case study was designed to supply a part of electrical needs of the Mediterranea University of Reggio Calabria. In brief, starting from the PV generation of electricity, hydrogen is obtained through electrolytic production, which is stored and then reconverted into electricity by using fuel cells. The study clearly meets the main goals of the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development.