Hybrid renewable hydrogen systems in Saudi Arabia: A techno-economic evaluation for three diverse locations

Shimaa Barakat, Heba I. Elkhouly, Ali Al Muflih and Nermine Harraz

Renewable Energy, 2024, vol. 237, issue PB

Abstract: This study presents a techno-economic evaluation of hybrid renewable hydrogen systems in Al Jouf, Yanbu, and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, using HOMER software to model and optimize grid-connected and off-grid configurations. Grid-connected systems consistently demonstrate superior cost-effectiveness, achieving lower hydrogen (COH) and energy (COE) costs, particularly in resource-rich regions like Yanbu. Off-grid systems, while more expensive, offer crucial energy independence for remote areas or where grid reliability is a concern. Sensitivity analyses reveal that increasing solar irradiance reduces COH, COE, and net present cost (NPC), along with optimal PV array sizes, especially in grid-connected systems. Wind resources play a significant role in Yanbu, where abundant wind reduces reliance on solar energy. This emphasis on the role of wind resources in Yanbu provides the audience with specific regional factors affecting system design. Off-grid systems exhibit greater sensitivity to demand fluctuations due to their dependence on battery storage. The study highlights the importance of tailoring system designs to local resource availability, climate, and demand. Policy recommendations include promoting grid integration, supporting off-grid solutions in areas with limited grid access, investing in climate-resilient technologies, and fostering regional collaboration for a sustainable hydrogen economy in Saudi Arabia and the Arab region.

Keywords: Hydrogen production; Techno-economic analysis; Temperature sensitivity; Solar irradiance sensitivity; Hybrid systems (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960148124018081
Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:renene:v:237:y:2024:i:pb:s0960148124018081

DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2024.121740

Access Statistics for this article

Renewable Energy is currently edited by Soteris A. Kalogirou and Paul Christodoulides

More articles in Renewable Energy from Elsevier
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Catherine Liu ().