Work

Optimizing hybrid energy systems for remote Australian communities: The role of tilt angle in cost-effective green hydrogen production

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This study investigates hybrid energy systems (HESs) integrating photovoltaic (PV) panels, batteries , fuel cells (FCs), electrolyzers (ELs), and hydrogen tanks (HTs) to address the energy needs of remote Australian communities. Two configurations are analyzed: Type-A (PV/Batt/FC/EL/HT) and Type-B (PV/FC/EL/HT), focusing on cost-efficiency, energy reliability, and hydrogen production . Several optimization techniques, including the cuckoo search algorithm, non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm-II (NSGA-II), and sequential quadratic programming algorithm (SQPA), flower pollination algorithm, constrained PSO, and harmony search algorithm, are employed to determine optimal system configurations. Type-A emerges as the most cost-effective configuration when optimized with NSGA-II, achieving a net present cost (NPC) of $226,500, a levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) of $0.193/kWh, and a levelized cost of hydrogen (LCOH) of $4.88/kg. Battery integration in Type-A enhances both cost-efficiency and energy reliability. For hydrogen-focused applications, SQPA yields the highest hydrogen production at 4737 kg/year, supported by higher EL (14 kW) and FC (18.63 kW) capacities. System efficiency is found to be highly sensitive to PV tilt angle, with 30 ∘ identified as optimal. Increasing the tilt to 70 ∘ can raise system costs by up to 75 %. Sensitivity analyses reveal that improving component efficiencies dramatically impacts costs. For example, increasing fuel cell efficiency from 40 % to 60 % reduces NPC, LCOE, and LCOH by $40,000, $0.04/kWh, and $0.1/kg, respectively, especially in Type-A systems. Collectively, adjustments to PV tilt angles and component efficiencies can reduce overall costs by up to 40 %. These insights offer a strategic foundation for designing HESs that balance electricity and hydrogen generation , tailored for sustainable operation in off-grid and remote settings.

Source: Applied Energy

DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2025.125921

Authors: Tushar Kanti Roy, Sajeeb Saha, Amanullah Maung Than Oo

Institutions: Macquarie University, University of the Sunshine Coast

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

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,430