A hybrid decision-making framework for renewable-hydrogen energy storage integration: Enhancing economic and energy security

The growing demand for low-carbon and resilient energy systems has intensified the focus on hybrid renewable-hydrogen energy storage solutions. This study develops a hybrid decision-making framework that integrates technical optimization and economic analysis to assess the feasibility of combining photovoltaic (PV) generation, battery storage, and hydrogen-based systems in residential applications. Emphasizing the dual goals of economic efficiency and energy security, the framework incorporates multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) and simulation modeling to evaluate alternative system architectures under varying climatic, load, and policy scenarios. Application of the framework to residential use cases in cold-climate regions, such as northwestern Canada, reveals that hybrid systems combining PV arrays with modular hydrogen storage and strategically sized battery banks outperform standalone configurations in both cost-effectiveness and reliability. In particular, systems with dynamic load balancing and hydrogen backup offer improved energy autonomy during peak demand and seasonal intermittency. Sensitivity analysis highlights the influence of solar irradiance variability, electricity pricing, and technology cost trends on system viability. The findings underscore the potential of hybrid renewable-hydrogen configurations to enhance energy self-sufficiency, reduce lifecycle emissions, and support long-term sustainability goals in decentralized residential energy systems. The proposed framework provides a replicable tool for policymakers, engineers, and urban planners to guide future investments in integrated energy infrastructure.