Growing concerns about mitigating climate change and the pressing need to decrease global greenhouse gas emissions have sparked a significant interest in exploring alternative energy sources. One area of particular focus is on microgrid hybrid renewable energy systems. This study aims to assess the feasibility of implementing microgrid hybrid renewable energy systems incorporating green hydrogen production and storage, alongside battery options, to supply electricity to a residential building across diverse Canadian locations. A total of twelve off-grid and twelve on-grid configurations in which six are diesel-based systems and six are 100 % hybrid renewable energy systems with two storage options, green hydrogen and battery storage systems, were proposed comprising photovoltaic panels, wind turbines, fuel cells, electrolyzers, hydrogen storage tanks, battery storage, diesel generators, converters, and controllers. Simulation models were developed in HOMER Pro platform to analyse and optimize the feasibility of the proposed systems. HOMER Pro includes a variety of built-in components and devices that enable the simulation of different power systems. It also facilitates the optimization of system configurations by evaluating operating costs, net present cost, carbon dioxide emissions, and overall economic viability. Results showed that all systems were viable. In Ottawa, the off-grid diesel generator-wind turbine-battery configuration was the most cost-effective, achieving an 81.5 % renewable fraction and a cost of energy of 0.35 CA$/kWh. The equivalent hydrogen-based system resulted to a cost of energy and renewable fraction of 0.50 CA$/kWh and 70.1 %, respectively. Expanding the analysis to Vancouver, Calgary, and Halifax highlighted the influence of local climate on system performance. Additionally, grid-connected systems revealed significant economic advantages, reducing net present costs and costs of energy, especially when surplus energy was sold back to the grid. In Ottawa, the optimal grid-connected diesel generator-wind turbine-battery configuration achieved an 80.3 % renewable fraction and a cost of energy of 0.09 CA$/kWh, markedly reducing carbon emissions. The hydrogen-based system resulted to the same renewable fraction and cost of energy, but with a 6.7 % higher net present cost. Additionally, these systems exhibited a significant reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by 16,935 kg/year when the renewable fraction was increased to 80 %. Even at high renewable fraction, the grid-connected systems outperformed off-grid configurations both economically and in terms of cost of energy. In general, the proposed hydrogen-based systems were costlier than with batteries, but costs are expected to decrease, making green hydrogen more attractive due to its carbon-free emissions and high energy density. Policy support, like subsidies, is crucial for widespread residential adoption, especially for off-grid systems facing economic and practical challenges due to high costs. These findings highlight the importance of adapted solutions to local conditions and integrating economic and environmental objectives in microgrid hybrid renewable energy system design and implementation.
Microgrid hybrid renewable energy systems with hydrogen and battery storage options for residential buildings: A feasibility analysis in Canada
Longo, Michela
2025-01-01
Abstract
Growing concerns about mitigating climate change and the pressing need to decrease global greenhouse gas emissions have sparked a significant interest in exploring alternative energy sources. One area of particular focus is on microgrid hybrid renewable energy systems. This study aims to assess the feasibility of implementing microgrid hybrid renewable energy systems incorporating green hydrogen production and storage, alongside battery options, to supply electricity to a residential building across diverse Canadian locations. A total of twelve off-grid and twelve on-grid configurations in which six are diesel-based systems and six are 100 % hybrid renewable energy systems with two storage options, green hydrogen and battery storage systems, were proposed comprising photovoltaic panels, wind turbines, fuel cells, electrolyzers, hydrogen storage tanks, battery storage, diesel generators, converters, and controllers. Simulation models were developed in HOMER Pro platform to analyse and optimize the feasibility of the proposed systems. HOMER Pro includes a variety of built-in components and devices that enable the simulation of different power systems. It also facilitates the optimization of system configurations by evaluating operating costs, net present cost, carbon dioxide emissions, and overall economic viability. Results showed that all systems were viable. In Ottawa, the off-grid diesel generator-wind turbine-battery configuration was the most cost-effective, achieving an 81.5 % renewable fraction and a cost of energy of 0.35 CA$/kWh. The equivalent hydrogen-based system resulted to a cost of energy and renewable fraction of 0.50 CA$/kWh and 70.1 %, respectively. Expanding the analysis to Vancouver, Calgary, and Halifax highlighted the influence of local climate on system performance. Additionally, grid-connected systems revealed significant economic advantages, reducing net present costs and costs of energy, especially when surplus energy was sold back to the grid. In Ottawa, the optimal grid-connected diesel generator-wind turbine-battery configuration achieved an 80.3 % renewable fraction and a cost of energy of 0.09 CA$/kWh, markedly reducing carbon emissions. The hydrogen-based system resulted to the same renewable fraction and cost of energy, but with a 6.7 % higher net present cost. Additionally, these systems exhibited a significant reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by 16,935 kg/year when the renewable fraction was increased to 80 %. Even at high renewable fraction, the grid-connected systems outperformed off-grid configurations both economically and in terms of cost of energy. In general, the proposed hydrogen-based systems were costlier than with batteries, but costs are expected to decrease, making green hydrogen more attractive due to its carbon-free emissions and high energy density. Policy support, like subsidies, is crucial for widespread residential adoption, especially for off-grid systems facing economic and practical challenges due to high costs. These findings highlight the importance of adapted solutions to local conditions and integrating economic and environmental objectives in microgrid hybrid renewable energy system design and implementation.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
