Optimization study of green hydrogen fuel production stations in renewable energy hub: A case study in Quang Tri province, Vietnam

Abstract

Currently, solar and wind power are recognized as key contributors to global green hydrogen generation. Vietnam has conducted preliminary assessments of hydrogen potential, but there remains a gap in comprehensive studies that quantify the efficiency of hydrogen production in specific renewable energy hubs within the country. This study addresses this gap by analyzing various system configurations of green hydrogen production based on the local potential of solar and wind energy in a representative renewable energy hub in the central region of Vietnam with the support of the HOMER optimization modeling program. The study results show that the most optimal hydrogen production system configuration has a total capacity of wind power of 1500 kW and solar power of 3600 kW to produce 300 kg of hydrogen per day and can sell excess solar electricity to the national grid at a feed-in tariff of $0.04/kWh. The optimal system demonstrates favorable economic performance, with a Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE) of $0.255/kWh, a Levelized Cost of Hydrogen (LCOH) of $5.37/kg, and a Net Present Cost (NPC) of $6,799,516. These findings provide a scientific basis for evaluating the feasibility of green hydrogen production projects and serve as a reference for policymakers in designing supportive frameworks to promote hydrogen development in Vietnam's renewable energy hubs.