Work

Techno-Economic Analysis of Geospatial Green Hydrogen Potential Using Solar Photovoltaic in Niger: Application of PEM and Alkaline Water Electrolyzers

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This study evaluates the techno-economic feasibility of solar-based green hydrogen potential for off-grid and utility-scale systems in Niger. The geospatial approach is first employed to identify the area available for green hydrogen production based on environmental and socio-technical constraints. Second, we evaluate the potential of green hydrogen production using a geographic information system (GIS) tool, followed by an economic analysis of the levelized cost of hydrogen (LCOH) for alkaline and proton exchange membrane (PEM) water electrolyzers using fresh and desalinated water. The results show that the electricity generation potential is 311,617 TWh/year and 353,166 TWh/year for off-grid and utility-scale systems. The hydrogen potential using PEM (alkaline) water electrolyzers is calculated to be 5932 Mt/year and 6723 Mt/year (5694 Mt/year and 6454 Mt/year) for off-grid and utility-scale systems, respectively. The LCOH production potential decreases for PEM and alkaline water electrolyzers by 2030, ranging between 4.72–5.99 EUR/kgH2 and 5.05–6.37 EUR/kgH2 for off-grid and 4.09–5.21 EUR/kgH2 and 4.22–5.4 EUR/kgH2 for utility-scale systems.

Source: Energies

DOI: 10.3390/en18071872

Authors: Bachirou Djibo Boubé, Ramchandra Bhandari, Moussa Mounkaila Saley, Abdou Latif Bonkaney, Rabani Adamou

Institutions: Université Abdou Moumouni, West African Science Service Centre on Climate Change and Adapted Land Use, TH Köln - University of Applied Sciences

Language: English

Topic: Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems

Subfield: Energy Engineering and Power Technology

Field: Energy

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Affordable and clean energy, Industry, innovation and infrastructure, Climate action, Clean water and sanitation

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,137