Technical and economic analysis of an autonomous hybrid photovoltaic-hydrogen energy system for academic buildings with the focus on energy Independence – A case study for Poland

Growing energy demand and the urgent need to reduce reliance on high-emission, as well as imported fossil fuels have elevated the relevance of emission-free energy sources, including Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems (HRES), making them a crucial component of future energy strategies. This study presents the optimal variant of an autonomous HRES for an academic building in Poland.

It has been selected based on actual energy demand and production data. The building is situated in one of the most frequented areas of the city, where thousands of people are present daily, serving as

a hub for academic life. Ensuring the building's energy independence is crucial to provide security, continuity of essential services, and to protect the local community against the impacts of unexpected energy supply interruptions. By means of HOMER Pro software for optimization, the analysis revealed that a PV-FC-Li-Ion-CONV-H₂T-EZ system with the lowest NPC of €1,110,000 and an LCOE of €1.00/kWh could ensure full autonomy while reducing CO₂ emissions by 11,815 kg/year. Considering the limited space available in highly urbanized environments, an alternative scenario with reduced PV capacity was also analyzed. In the paper an approach to design autonomous energy systems specifically tailored to Polish conditions has been suggested. However, in order to achieve this autonomy some significant financial investments are required, and further technological advancements are needed to enhance the cost-effectiveness of such systems. The findings underscore the key role of long-term hydrogen storage in ensuring energy independence for buildings in similar urban settings.