Techno-economic study of a 100 % renewable energy-based isolated microgrid involving green hydrogen production

The increasing dependence on fossil fuels has led to significant greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to global climate change. To combat this, there is a growing tendency to use renewable energy resources (RERs), such as green hydrogen, photovoltaic (PV), and wind energies. This research provides a comprehensive techno-economic analysis on a case study of a university campus by comparing three distinct 100 % renewable energy supply scenarios: (1) PV energy with batteries combined with green hydrogen (GH), (2) wind energy with green hydrogen, and (3) PV energy, batteries, and wind energy with green hydrogen. A simulation model was employed to optimize the rating of key components, including photovoltaic (PV), batteries, wind turbine (WT), electrolyzer, fuel cell (FC), and hydrogen storage tanks, assessing the Net Present Cost (NPC) and Cost of Energy (COE) for each scenario. Results depict that the combination of solar (PV), wind, and green hydrogen offered the most cost-effective configuration, yielding a NPC of $1.57 million and a COE of $0.413 per kWh, outperforming other configurations in economic viability and sustainability. These findings emphasize the significant potential of combining renewable energy sources with green hydrogen production, offering an effective route to lower carbon emissions and supporting long-term environmental sustainability.