Exploring Power Electronics Converters for Water Electrolysis in Microgrid Applications: A Comprehensive Overview

Hydrogen has changed the future energy structure due to its application in different energy sectors. This energy carrier and its derivatives will play a key role in the decarbonization of different sectors in the near future. Water electrolysis using renewable energies is a key way to produce this energy carrier respecting decarbonization goals. It is noteworthy that nowadays this method is mostly using grid electricity. Meanwhile, the expansion of microgrids using renewable energy sources and the need for these microgrids to store energy makes hydrogen production attractive in this sector. On the other hand, the produced hydrogen can be used not only for the purpose of generating electricity in the microgrid but also for generating heat in the local heating network and as a fuel in the transportation sector. Power electronics converters must be used to match the DC and/or AC voltages in these microgrids with the required voltage of electrolyzers. It is challenging to choose the appropriate converters to optimize the system's efficiency and economy and maximize the electrolyzer's lifetime. This paper aims to review the converters used for the electrolyzer systems in the microgrid structure. It is tried to compare these converters in terms of specific energy, efficiency, and economy.