Optimal Design of a Standalone Integrated Solar Hydrogen Energy System for a Residential Building in Alamein City

Abstract

This paper uses renewable energy sources as a potential solution to meet energy demands, However, these sources suffer from intermittency, especially solar energy. This calls for an effective energy storage system. Hydrogen has attracted much attention in this area due to its capability as long-term storage, so the problem of intermittency can be solved with the presence of hydrogen. This study aims to analyze solar irradiance levels in El Alamein City, Egypt, and propose a system incorporating PV panels, batteries, an electrolyzer, and a fuel cell to power a small residential load in a rural area where grid extension is difficult to achieve. A comprehensive simulation has been conducted utilizing the Hybrid Optimization Model for Electric Renewables (HOMER) software. The primary objective is to determine the optimal size for a standalone system in El Alamein City that depends only on solar energy. It has been found that 4.25 kW PV panels, 5 kWh batteries, a 3 kW electrolyzer, 1 kW fuel cell, and a 2.08 kW converter can supply a standalone home in a rural area in El Alamein city.