The role of hybrid hydrogen-battery storage in a grid-connected renewable energy microgrid considering time-of-use electricity tariffs

Hybrid hydrogen ($H_2$)-battery $\left(\mathrm{BT}\right)$ integrated microgrid has gained significant interest lately as a key element for achieving a zero-emission future, thanks to its wide range of applications. The energy management strategy (EMS) of the $H_2$- $\mathrm{BT}$ storage-based microgrid is critical for ensuring efficient and cost-effective electricity generation by controlling the operating point of the storage systems to achieve economic and operational benefits. This paper presents an optimal energy management and sizing strategy for a hybrid $H_2$-$\mathrm{BT}$ storage-based grid-connected microgrid, considering two scenarios of Time-of-Use (ToU) electricity tariffs. The uniqueness of this study lies in its improvement of microgrid effectiveness through the optimization of component size and EMS. Among the two scenarios, the “Time of Use-Flat” scenario is more cost-effective and the best option. This conclusion is based on the results which indicate that LSC-SSA method achieved the lowest Annual System Cost (ASC) of $544,818 and the lowest Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) of $0.273 in this scenario. These metrics are better compared to the “Flat-Time of Use” scenario, where the LSC-SSA method achieved an ASC of $552,773 and an LCOE of $0.277. Therefore, the “Time of Use-Flat” scenario provides greater cost-effectiveness for the hybrid $H_2$-$\mathrm{BT}$ integrated microgrid.