Real-Time Modeling of a Solar-Driven Power Plant with Green Hydrogen, Electricity, and Fresh Water Production: Techno-Economics and Optimization

Paniz Arashrad, Shayan Sharafi Laleh, Shayan Rabet, Mortaza Yari (), Saeed Soltani () and Marc A. Rosen
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Paniz Arashrad: Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Tabriz, Tabriz 5166616471, Iran
Shayan Sharafi Laleh: Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Tabriz, Tabriz 5166616471, Iran
Shayan Rabet: Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Tabriz, Tabriz 5166616471, Iran
Mortaza Yari: Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Tabriz, Tabriz 5166616471, Iran
Saeed Soltani: Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Antalya Bilim University, 07190 Antalya, Turkey
Marc A. Rosen: Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Ontario Institute of Technology, 2000 Simcoe Street North, Oshawa, ON L1G 0C5, Canada

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 8, 1-29

Abstract: Solar energy is important for the future as it provides a clean, renewable source of electricity that can help combat climate change by reducing reliance on fossil fuels via implementing various solar-based energy systems. In this study, a unique configuration for a parabolic-trough-based solar system is presented that allows energy storage for periods of time with insufficient solar radiation. This model, based on extensive analysis in MATLAB utilizing real-time weather data, demonstrates promising results with strong practical applicability. An organic Rankine cycle with a regenerative configuration is applied to produce electricity, which is further utilized for hydrogen generation. A proton exchange membrane electrolysis (PEME) unit converts electricity to hydrogen, a clean and versatile energy carrier since the electricity is solar based. To harness the maximum value from this system, additional energy during peak times is used to produce clean water utilizing a reverse osmosis (RO) desalination unit. The system’s performance is examined by conducting a case study for the city of Antalya, Turkey, to attest to the unit’s credibility and performance. This system is also optimized via the Grey Wolf multi-objective algorithm from energy, exergy, and techno-economic perspectives. For the optimization scenario performed, the energy and exergy efficiencies of the system and the levelized cost of products are found to be approximately 26.5%, 28.5%, and 0.106 $/kWh, respectively.

Keywords: parabolic trough solar collector; thermal energy storage; hydrogen production; proton exchange membrane electrolysis; green hydrogen; renewable energy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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