Assessing and optimizing a cutting-edge renewable-driven system for green hydrogen production/utilization, highlighting techno-economic and sustainability aspects

This study introduces a novel integrated system that combines solar and biomass energy sources to expedite the transition to an environmentally sustainable future and facilitate the share of renewable sources in the energy grid. The concept revolves around generating and utilizing green hydrogen to enhance the quality of combustion byproducts. The primary components of the proposed system include a biomass digester and a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer driven by photovoltaic panels. Integrating a Rankine cycle, thermoelectric generator, and multi-effect desalination devices allows for the simultaneous production of power and drinking water by recovering waste heat from exhaust gases. The proposed system's key indicators are compared with a similar model without hydrogen injection. Additionally, the evaluation/comparison of components' performance within the irreversibility facet is conducted by calculating the exergy destruction rate under optimal conditions. The results demonstrate that injecting additional green hydrogen into the combustion chamber achieves a greater energy efficiency of 11.5%, a reduced cost of 25.2 $/MWh, and a smaller emissions index of 1352 kg/GWh compared to the conventional system. However, because of the high rate of energy destruction in the solar and electrolyzer systems, the suggested system has a lower sustainability rating of 0.5. Furthermore, the results demonstrate that the suggested cutting-edge system generates 4591 kW of acceptable electricity and 82.5 kg/s of potable water. Ultimately, it can be discerned that the differences in pinch point and superheat temperatures are crucial design parameters that substantially influence the power cycle and overall system performance.