Hybrid wind energy and hydrogen system for direct CO2 air capture: A case study

Abstract

This study addresses urgent environmental challenges by proposing an innovative hybrid system that integrates wind energy and green hydrogen production to power direct CO₂ air capture (DAC) at three sites in northern Morocco. The novelty of this work lies in its scalable design, combining renewable energy with DAC technology to create a sustainable solution for carbon reduction. Wind potential was analyzed using the Weibull distribution to ensure statistical reliability for eight commercial turbines. Hydrogen production employed proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysis, recognized for its efficiency. Among the turbines, T₅ demonstrated superior performance, producing 3971–7545 MWh/year with capacity factors from 29.5 % to 57.7 %. Hydrogen yields ranged from 53,575.02 to 101,793.90 kg, with storage volumes between 1413.79 and 2686.23 m³. A key strength of this study is its detailed techno-economic analysis, showing low costs of electricity (LCOE), hydrogen (LCOH), and CO₂ capture (LCOD). Additionally, T₆ and T₈ turbines were identified as competitive alternatives, while others were excluded due to higher costs. This study highlights the effectiveness of wind-hydrogen hybrid systems, with CO₂ capture ranging from 1313.22 to 12,882.35 tons across the sites. It also demonstrates their economic feasibility, contributing to the goals of clean energy, sustainable cities, and climate action.