Design and Optimization of Hydrogen Refueling Station Powered by Hybrid Energy System

Replacement of fossil fuel-based transport systems can be possible by investing in fuel cell vehicles. This can be achieved through the establishment of a hydrogen refueling station that supplies hydrogen fuel to vehicles. This study explores the techno-economic feasibility analysis of setting up a hydrogen refueling station at Makkah city in Saudi Arabia powered by hybrid energy system using HOMER software. The obtained results showed that the lowest net present cost (NPC), levelized cost of energy (LCOE), and levelized cost of hydrogen (LCOH) which amount to $17,521.79, $0.012 per unit, and $0.352 per kilogram, respectively, belong to the wind-battery hybrid energy system. A 330-kW wind turbine, a 700 kW electrolyzer, a 100 kg/L hydrogen tank, a 110 1kW h battery, and a 450-kW converter were all parts of the suggested system. In comparison, the photovoltaic-wind-battery hybrid energy systems exhibit higher NPC, LCOE, and LCOH values of $17,849.58, $0.014 per unit, and $0.369 per kilogram, respectively. The outcome of the study judged the wind-battery hybrid energy systems to be the most viable option for the refueling station project in Makkah, as supported by the return-on-investment analysis. The author proposed that the refueling station should be implemented in the city of Mekkah using wind-battery hybrid energy system by leveraging on the available renewable resources in Makkah for electricity generation and hydrogen production, thereby alleviating the problem caused by pollution from using fossil fuel in transportation.