Comparative Designs for Standalone Critical Loads Between PV/Battery and PV/Hydrogen Systems.

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Comparative Designs for Standalone Critical Loads Between PV/Battery and PV/Hydrogen Systems.
Authors: Lotfy, Ahmed, Anis, Wagdy Refaat, Newagy, Fatma, Mohamed, Sameh Mostafa
Source: Hydrogen; Sep2025, Vol. 6 Issue 3, p46, 25p
Subject Terms: PHOTOVOLTAIC power systems, HYDROGEN storage, STORAGE batteries, DISTRIBUTED power generation, CLEAN energy, COST analysis, COST benefit analysis
Geographic Terms: CAIRO (Egypt)
Abstract: This study presents the design and techno-economic comparison of two standalone photovoltaic (PV) systems, each supplying a 1 kW critical load with 100% reliability under Cairo's climatic conditions. These systems are modeled for both the constant and the night load scenarios, accounting for the worst-case weather conditions involving 3.5 consecutive cloudy days. The primary comparison focuses on traditional lead-acid battery storage versus green hydrogen storage via electrolysis, compression, and fuel cell reconversion. Both the configurations are simulated using a Python-based tool that calculates hourly energy balance, component sizing, and economic performance over a 21-year project lifetime. The results show that the PV/H2 system significantly outperforms the PV/lead-acid battery system in both the cost and the reliability. For the constant load, the Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE) drops from 0.52 USD/kWh to 0.23 USD/kWh (a 56% reduction), and the payback period is shortened from 16 to 7 years. For the night load, the LCOE improves from 0.67 to 0.36 USD/kWh (a 46% reduction). A supplementary cost analysis using lithium-ion batteries was also conducted. While Li-ion improves the economics compared to lead-acid (LCOE of 0.41 USD/kWh for the constant load and 0.49 USD/kWh for the night load), this represents a 21% and a 27% reduction, respectively. However, the green hydrogen system remains the most cost-effective and scalable storage solution for achieving 100% reliability in critical off-grid applications. These findings highlight the potential of green hydrogen as a sustainable and economically viable energy storage pathway, capable of reducing energy costs while ensuring long-term resilience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Database: Complementary Index
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