Techno-Economic Assessment of Hydrogen Integrated Hybrid Renewable Systems for Island Applications

Abstract

Decarbonizing electricity generation is critical, especially for islands vulnerable to climate change. This study investigates a hybrid renewable energy system for an island in the Mediterranean Sea, combining wind, photovoltaic panels, batteries, and hydrogen storage. The system is optimized using the NSGA-II genetic algorithm to meet techno-economic objectives and to satisfy an annual electricity demand of 26.5 GWh with a seasonal consumption profile. The optimal configuration, consisting of 25.296 MW PV, 14 MW wind, 24 MWh battery, and a hydrogen chain with 5 MW electrolyzers, 2 MW fuel cells, and 2000 kg storage, achieves a 5% LPSP and covers over 94% of the island's electricity demand. Results demonstrate the feasibility of near-total renewable energy autonomy for small islands, enhancing energy security and supporting sustainable development.