Techno-economic assessment of a hydrogen-based islanded microgrid in North-east
- Authors: Hasan, Tanvir , Emami, Kianoush , Shah, Rakibuzzaman , Hassan, Nur , Belokoskov, Vitali , Ly, Max
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Energy Reports Vol. 9, no. (2023), p. 3380-3396
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: Currently, renewable energy-based generators are considered worldwide to achieve net zero targets. However, the stochastic nature of renewable energy systems leads to regulation and control challenges for power system operators, especially in remote and regional grids with smaller footprints. A hybrid system (i.e., solar, wind, biomass, energy storage) could minimise this issue. Nevertheless, the hybrid system is not possible to develop in many islands due to the limited land area, geographical conditions, and others. Hydrogen as a carrier of clean energy can be used in locations where the installation of extensive or medium-scale renewable energy facilities is not permissible due to population density, geographical constraints, government policies, and regulatory issues. This paper presents a techno-economic assessment of designing a green hydrogen-based microgrid for a remote island in North-east Australia. This research work determines the optimal sizing of microgrid components using green hydrogen technology. Due to the abovementioned constraints, the green hydrogen production system and the microgrid proposed in this paper are located on two separate islands. The paper demonstrates three cost-effective scenarios for green hydrogen production, transportation, and electricity generation. This work has been done using Hybrid Optimisation Model for Multiple Energy Resources or HOMER Pro simulation platform. Simulation results show that the Levelized Cost of Energy using hydrogen technology can vary from AU$0.37/kWh to AU$1.08/kWh depending on the scenarios and the variation of key parameters. This offers the potential to provide lower-cost electricity to the remote community. Furthermore, the CO2 emission could be reduced by 17,607,77 kg/year if the renewable energy system meets 100% of the electricity demand. Additionally, the sensitivity analysis in this paper shows that the size of solar PV and wind used for green hydrogen production can further be reduced by 50%. The sensitivity analysis shows that the system could experience AU$0.03/kWh lower levelized cost if the undersea cable is used to transfer the generated electricity between islands instead of hydrogen transportation. However, it would require environmental approval and policy changes as the islands are located in the Great Barrier Reef. © 2023 The Authors
A hydrogen supply-chain model powering Australian isolated communities
- Authors: Hasan, Tanvir , Hassan, Nur , Shah, Rakibuzzaman , Emami, Kianoush , Anderson, Jake
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Energy Reports Vol. 9, no. (2023), p. 209-214
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: This article proposes a supply chain-based green hydrogen microgrid modelling for a number of remote Australian communities. Green hydrogen can be used as an emissions-free fuel source for electricity generation in places where large-scale renewable energy production is impossible due to land availability, population, or government regulations. This research focuses on the Torres Strait Island communities in northern Australia, where the transition from diesel to renewable electricity generation is difficult due to very limited land availability on most islands. Due to geographical constraints, low population and smaller electrical load, the green hydrogen needs to be sourced from somewhere else. This research presents a green hydrogen supply chain model that leverages the land availability of one island to produce hydrogen to supply other island communities. In addition, this research presents a model of producing and transporting green hydrogen while supplying cheaper electricity to the communities at focus. The study has used a transitional scenario planning approach and the HOMER simulation platform to find the least-cost solution. Based on the results, a levelised cost of energy range of AU$0.42 and AU$0.44 was found. With the help of a green hydrogen supply chain, CO2 emissions at the selected sites could be cut by 90 %. This study can be used as a guide for small clustered communities that could not support or justify large-scale renewable generation facilities but need more opportunities to install renewable generation. © 2023
A study on green hydrogen-based isolated microgrid
- Authors: Hasan, Tanvir , Emami, Kianoush , Shah, Rakibuzzaman , Hassan, Nur , Anderson, Jake , Thomas, Dane , Louis, Alan
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Energy Reports Vol. 8, no. (2022), p. 259-267
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: This paper assesses the techno-economic feasibility of a green hydrogen-based microgrid for a remote Australian island. Hydrogen can be used to provide clean energy in areas where large-scale renewable energy sources are not feasible owing to geography, government regulations, or regulatory difficulties. This study not only identifies the appropriate component size for a hydrogen-based microgrid but also provides an economic perspective of decarbonising Thursday Island in Torres Straits, Queensland, Australia. Due to geographical constraints, the green hydrogen production system needs to be distinct from the electrical network. This research shows how to produce green hydrogen, transport it, and generate power at a low cost. The study was performed utilising the HOMER simulation platform to find the least cost solution. The simulation results demonstrate an AU$0.01 reduction in Levelised Cost of Energy compared to the present electricity generation cost which is AU$0.56. The inclusion of a green hydrogen system will potentially minimise CO2 emissions by 99.6% while ensuring almost 100% renewable penetration. The results of this study will also serve as a guide for the placement of hydrogen-based microgrids in similar remote locations around the world where numerous remote energy systems are located close to each other. © 2022 The Authors