Techno-economic analysis of integrated PV/Biogas/Wind/Hydrogen polygeneration energy systems for green transportation in Bangladesh context

Abstract

The global transportation system is currently experiencing a notable shift towards the prominence of fully electric, hybrid, and hydrogen-fuelled vehicles to reduce the environmental consequences of fossil fuels. Developing countries, including Bangladesh, promote renewable energy-based power generation to foster the uptake of green transportation solutions. However, the implementation of such a solution poses significant economic, technical, and affordability challenges. This study explores the techno-economic viability of four potential options (Models): photovoltaic (PV), biogas, wind, and hydrogen energy within a net-metering scheme, an area not previously well explored for developing countries. The study findings reveal that Model 1 (PV/biogas) featuring electric vehicles (EVs) bears a cost of US$ 0.0141/km and demonstrates higher economic viability than the other three models. From an environmental standpoint, Model 3 (PV/biogas-powered hydrogen refuelling stations—HRFS) emerges as the optimal choice, characterised by a CO₂ emission of 1.83 g/km and the levelized cost of hydrogen (LCOH) and hydrogen production (LCOH_P) values of US$ 13.4 and US$ 8.93, respectively. A sensitivity analysis of the PEM electrolyser price and gasification ratio estimates the LCOHp at US$ 8.63 to US$ 9.90. Environmental evaluations show that Models 3 and 4 can reduce CO₂ emissions from diesel, petrol, and CNG in Bangladesh’s transportation sector by approximately 99.5%. The study further reveals that EVs are deemed more economical than hydrogen fuel cell vehicles for green transportation for developing nations under the current cost structure.