An optimal strategy for application of photovoltaic-wind turbine with PEMEC-PEMFC hydrogen storage system based on techno-economic, environmental, and availability indicators

In this study, a hybrid system for power generation for an off-grid application is studied. The power generators of this system are photovoltaic (PV) solar modules and wind turbines, while the combination of polymer electrolyte membrane electrolyzer and fuel cell (PEMEC and PEMFC) is used for energy storage. Energy, environmental, and economic (3E) aspects are taken into consideration, whilst the availability analysis is also done to achieve a better insight. Number of PV modules is selected as the decision variable, and it is determined through a dynamic multi-objective optimization with objective functions from the aforementioned aspects. The optimized hybrid system is compared with full PV and full wind turbine electricity production scenarios. The studied hybrid system is found to be 27.72% and 46.92% better in terms of payback time, respectively, compared to the solar or wind system alone. Moreover, the hybrid system has been shown to be more efficient than the other two systems, with an availability of 97.70%. The levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) for the studied hybrid system is 0.2475 $.(kWh)−1, as well. It has also the potential of saving 86940.2 kg of CO2 during a year, which is 11.65 and 19.51% higher than only PV and only wind turbine conditions, respectively.