Analysis of the economic and technological viability of producing green hydrogen with renewable energy sources in a variety of climates to reduce CO2 emissions: A case study in Egypt

Abstract

Global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, including carbon dioxide (CO2), continue to rise yearly, mainly driven by increases in fuel and industrial emissions. Africa has a lot of sustainable energy resources to help satisfy the continent's electricity needs, which is crucial for economic growth and achieving world CO2 reduction goals. There are many promising energy technologies, but green hydrogen stands out as a frontrunner. Green hydrogen capacity was assessed in this paper as a potentially new medium for storing Egypt's renewable electrical energy and fuel. Egypt represented nations with similar renewable energy resources and climates. The lowest net present value (NPV), levelized cost of hydrogen (LCOH), carbon emissions, and cost of energy (COE) were achieved by implementing five different configurations in three different sites. Using solar panels, an electrolyzer, a hydrogen fuel cell, and a hydrogen storage tank, the initial configuration (A) was carried out in Benban-Aswan. The second configuration (B), in Ras Ghareb, used the identical parts as the first but substituted wind turbines for solar panels to generate electricity. Wind and solar energy were combined in a third configuration (C) tested in Edko. In Ras Ghareb, but this time with a diesel engine and the wind turbine, the fourth configuration (D) was implemented. Excluding the hydrogen fuel cell from the prior setup, the final configuration (E) was identical. The HOMER software measured the GHG emissions from diesel generators and renewable energy sources. A sensitivity analysis of the operating reserve amount and discount rate variance was performed. According to the findings, the second configuration (B) carried out in Ras Ghareb had the lowest NPV at 1.81 M $, the lowest COE at 0.3085 $/kWh, and the lowest LCOH at 3.94 $/kg. Regarding greenhouse gas emissions, Configuration (D) produced 7,664 kg/year of CO2. Configuration (E) has a CO2 output of 87,021 kg/year.