Techno-economic optimization of hydrogen generation through hybrid energy system: A step towards sustainable development

The present study aims to design and optimize a Hybrid Renewable Energy System (HRES) to facilitate a remote community's electricity and hydrogen load demand at Dungri, Uttarakhand, India. The methodology includes an assessment of energy demand, local resource availability, and the nature of the inhabitant. The findings shows techno-economically an optimal HRES, consisting of 90 kW PV, 25 kW Bio-generator, 30 kW electrolyser, 15 kW hydrogen tank, 10 kWh storage and a 30 kW converter with Net present value (NPV) of Rs. 78.4 lakhs, cost of energy (COE) as Rs. 7.61/kWh and cost of hydrogen (COH) Rs. 330/kg. Annual electricity generation is of 250641 kWh/year and yearly average hydrogen generation of 1838 kg through electricity consumption of 80462 kWh/year and can be utilized for 26280 km/year of operation of hydrogen fuelled buses. Furthermore, sensitivity analysis reveals that, rise in the hydrogen load, boost up the system's NPV and COE, whereas,the COH reduces. Amount of annual CO2 emission and avoided are 53.9 kg, 209.12 t, respectively. Moreover, it infers that the proposed system serves isolated rural communities with high-quality energy and satisfies local hydrogen fuel demand in the transportation sector in economically viable manner and achieves the SDG 7 & 8.