Towards clean energy independence: Assessing MENA region hybrid PV-wind solutions for green hydrogen generation and storage and 24/7 power production

Abstract

Amidst the global pursuit of clean energy solutions, the current study explores the pivotal role of green hydrogen in achieving clean energy independence. Focusing on the MENA region, where renewable energy possibility is abundant, our study investigates the feasibility of harnessing the synergy between PV-Wind power generation systems. These systems not only aim to provide sustainable electricity to off-grid communities without access to the grid but also prioritize green hydrogen production via electrolyzers and fuel cells for consistent 24/7 power generation and surplus energy exportation. Furthermore, this investigation underscores the crucial role of green hydrogen, offering a viable solution to bridge intermittent renewable energy supply gaps and enable continuous power availability. MATLAB/Simulink software has been used to model the operation of different system components under climate conditions in various cities in the Middle East. The results indicate that the maximum total system efficiency is about 36.71%, PEMEC efficiency is 86.5 %, and PEMFC efficiency is 49.2%. The annual hydrogen production varies from 103.7 to 216 tons according to the system configuration and climatic conditions. The LCOE is between 0.112 and 0.1867 $/kWh with up to 6 Mega-ton of CO₂ emission reduction.