Green hydrogen production mapping via large scale water electrolysis using hybrid solar, wind, and biomass energies systems: 4E evaluation

PV, wind turbine (WT), and biomass energy as hybrid power sources for hydrogen generation using water electrolysis are conducted. The study investigates a wide range of wind speed and solar intensity up to 11 m/s and 800 W/m2, respectively, and evaluates them based on energy, exergy, economic, and environmental (4E) analysis. The results of five configurations: (1) PVs only, (2) WTs only, (3) PVs area equal WTs area, (4) PVs have double WTs area, and (5) WTs area double PVs area powering the system are presented. The system's mathematical model is created and solved using MATLAB software. The findings show that for maximum wind speed and solar intensity, the system powered by PV produces the highest annual hydrogen production density of 13.21 kgH2/m2. Configuration 2 has the lowest fuel biomass consumption, whereas Configuration 4 has the highest. The systems' energy and exergy efficiencies, levelized cost of hydrogen, and payback period are enhanced with rising wind speed and solar intensity. The maximum values of system energy and exergy efficiencies are about 33.5 % and 21.5 %, respectively, achieved at lower wind speed and solar intensity. The systems shift from CO2 emission reason to CO2 mitigation for 500 to 600 W/m2 and 8.25 to 8.5 m/s.