Optimal design of solar energy-based hydrogen refueling station: a case study of Touggourt, Algeria

Abstract

Carbon production is growing globally, with energy-related carbon
emissions accounting for two-thirds of global emissions. Generating
carbon-neutral hydrogen from renewable energy is a significant
achievement toward a circular economy in this industry. Hydrogen can
contribute to reducing gas emissions in the future decades, not just as a
potential technology for the future but as a successful technology already
being implemented globally. Hydrogen is required for the clean
transportation sector and multiple different industrial applications.
However, the high cost of clean hydrogen production reduces the rapid
development of renewable energy projects established on hydrogen
production. So, optimizing design is required to choose the optimum
solutions for clean hydrogen production. In this context, this short paper
aims to investigate a techno-economic optimization of a hydrogen
refueling station with a 262 kg/day capacity in Touggourt City, Algeria
(latitude of 33° 6.3' N and the longitude of 6° 4.0' E), based on
photovoltaic energy resources. The paper analyses the configuration of a

stand-alone PV system with batteries. The analysis of this arrangement is
based on the solar potential at the site, costs of various equipment,
electrical load, and hydrogen load. Thus, the study aims to identify the
optimized capacity of PV arrays, electrolyzers, batteries, power
converters, and hydrogen tanks.