Techno-Economic Analysis of a Hydrogen-Based Power Supply Backup System for Tertiary Sector Buildings: A Case Study in Greece

Dimitrios Tziritas, George M. Stavrakakis (), Dimitris Bakirtzis, George Kaplanis, Konstantinos Patlitzianas, Markos Damasiotis and Panagiotis L. Zervas
Additional contact information
Dimitrios Tziritas: MES Energy S.A. Branch Office, 1821 Str. No. 76, 71201 Heraklion, Greece
George M. Stavrakakis: MES Energy S.A. Branch Office, 1821 Str. No. 76, 71201 Heraklion, Greece
Dimitris Bakirtzis: MES Energy S.A. Branch Office, 1821 Str. No. 76, 71201 Heraklion, Greece
George Kaplanis: MES Energy S.A., Aiolou Str. No. 67, 10559 Athens, Greece
Konstantinos Patlitzianas: Division of Development Programmes, Centre for Renewable Energy Sources and Saving (CRES), 19th km Marathonos Av., 19009 Pikermi, Greece
Markos Damasiotis: Division of Development Programmes, Centre for Renewable Energy Sources and Saving (CRES), 19th km Marathonos Av., 19009 Pikermi, Greece
Panagiotis L. Zervas: MES Energy S.A., Aiolou Str. No. 67, 10559 Athens, Greece

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 9, 1-23

Abstract: In view of the European Union’s strategy on hydrogen for decarbonization and buildings’ decarbonization targets, the use of hydrogen in buildings is expected in the future. Backup power in buildings is usually provided with diesel generators (DGs). In this study, the use of a hydrogen fuel cell (HFC) power supply backup system is studied. Its operation is compared to a DG and a techno-economic analysis of the latter’s replacement with an HFC is conducted by calculating relevant key performance indicators (KPIs). The developed approach is presented in a case study on a school building in Greece. Based on the school’s electricity loads, which are calculated with a dynamic energy simulation and power shortages scenarios, the backup system’s characteristics are defined, and the relevant KPIs are calculated. It was found that the HFC system can reduce the annual CO 2 emissions by up to 400 kg and has a lower annual operation cost than a DG. However, due to its high investment cost, its levelized cost of electricity is higher, and the replacement of an existing DG is unviable in the current market situation. The techno-economic study reveals that subsidies of around 58–89% are required to foster the deployment of HFC backup systems in buildings.

Keywords: hydrogen fuel cells; backup power supply system; decarbonization of buildings; buildings’ energy resilience (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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