Optimal Sizing of Renewable Energy Powered Hydrogen and Electric Vehicle Charging Station (HEVCS)

The primary barrier to the extensive implementation of electric vehicles (EVs) is the lack of necessary and adequate charging infrastructure within a particular area. Moreover, sourcing the energy needed for EVs from the grid that heavily relies on fossil fuels diminishes the environmental advantages of EVs and, further increases strain on grid system in electricity-deficient regions. Therefore, this study designs and simulates six different standalone hybrid renewable energy systems utilizing solar, wind, and biomass sources and a grid-tied system for a selected location of Singaperumal Kovil, Chennai, India. One unique aspect of this research is the use of a single station for charging electric vehicles and hydrogen refueling. These systems are designed to fulfil the energy requirements of 48 battery-electric vehicles and 17 hydrogen vehicles, Using HOMER Pro software, combining a bio-gas generator, wind turbine, and photovoltaic system. The renewable energy sources are identified as the most practical and reliable among the various cases for that location, in terms of technical, economic, and environmental feasibility. Among six different standalone scenarios and a grid-tied system, the biogas generator, wind, and PV configuration model is more cost effective than other configurations. The proposed system generates 2,009,492 kWh/yr of electricity and 30,199 kg/yr of Hydrogen. The reported values for the NPC, LCOE, LCOH, and payback period were $ 3.46 million, $ 0.493/kWh, $ 8.86/kg, and about 3.08 years, in that order. HOMER determines the breakeven grid extension distance as 129.93km. After considering the effective rate after digestate, the NPC, LCOE, and LCOH costs are reduced to $ 2.90 million, $ 0.412/kWh, and $ 7.47/kg, respectively.