The role of hybrid hydrogen-battery storage in a grid-connected renewable energy microgrid considering time-of-use electricity tariffs

Hybrid hydrogen (H2)-battery ( BT ) integrated microgrid has gained significant interest lately as a key element for achieving a zero-emission future, thanks to its wide range of applications. The energy management strategy (EMS) of the H 2- BT storage-based microgrid is critical for ensuring efficient and cost-effective electricity generation by controlling the operating point of the storage systems to achieve economic and operational benefits. This paper presents an optimal energy management and sizing strategy for a hybrid H 2-BT storage-based grid- connected microgrid, considering two scenarios of Time-of-Use (ToU) electricity tariffs. The uniqueness of this study lies in its improvement of microgrid effectiveness through the optimization of component size and EMS. Among the two scenarios, the " Time of Use-Flat" scenario is more cost-effective and the best option. This conclusion is based on the results which indicate that LSC-SSA method achieved the lowest Annual System Cost (ASC) of $544,818 and the lowest Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) of $0.273 in this scenario. These metrics are better compared to the " Flat-Time of Use" scenario, where the LSC-SSA method achieved an ASC of $552,773 and an LCOE of $0.277. Therefore, the " Time of Use-Flat" scenario provides greater cost-effectiveness for the hybrid H 2-BT integrated microgrid.