An analysis of distributed solar fuel systems

While solar fuel systems offer tremendous potential to address global clean energy needs, most existing analyses have focused on the feasibility of large centralized systems and applications. Not much research exists on the feasibility of distributed solar fuel systems. This thesis is an attempt to understand the larger context of solar fuel systems, to examine the case for going distributed and to critically analyze a distributed solar fuel system available today in the context of a specific application. In doing so, this thesis seeks to a) provide a baseline analysis for the economic feasibility of a distributed solar fuel system based on state-of-the-art technology b) draw some general conclusions about the nature of such systems in order to provide guidance to those engaged in the development of the next generation of solar fuel systems. This study also compares the chosen baseline solar fuel system with a traditional fossil fuel-based alternative and undertakes a cost-to-emissions trade-off analysis. A key finding of this thesis is that for solar fuel systems to be viable, cost and efficiency improvements in individual sub-systems won't be sufficient. Due attention needs to be given to bring down cost of the entire system. Another key finding is that if carbon emissions are considered as a decision-making criterion in addition to cost, even at current cost levels photovoltaic hydrogen systems compare favorably with existing fossil fuel-based alternatives such as diesel generators.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Engineering Systems Division.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2012

Author dc:creator

• Thomas, Alex, S.M. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Patrick Hale.

• Engineering Systems Division.
• System Design and Management Program.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/76511

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/76511