Green hydrogen production by integrating a solar power plant with a combined cycle in the desert climate of Algeria

Abstract

Renewable hydrogen is viewed as the future fuel for energy savings due to its clean, safe, and does not release greenhouse gases when burned. This study examines the feasibility of small-scale electrolytic hydrogen production with electricity generated by a concentrated solar power plant (CSP) integrated with a combined cycle (CC) of the steam Rankine cycle (SRC) and the organic Rankine cycle (ORC) in Illizi and Tindouf regions from the Algerian desert. Alkaline (AE), proton exchange membrane (PEME), and solid oxide (SOE) electrolyzers are utilised to produce hydrogen. Computer code for modelling the solar field and electrolyzer systems is developed using MATLAB software, and the EES is utilised for combined cycle analysis. The findings show that the city of Illizi is the most suitable location for this station, with an electrical output of over 60 [kW] at midday in September, and an energy efficiency is achieved at 24.9%, with an exergy efficiency of up to 51% during the summer. In addition, hydrogen is produced at a rate of 219 [Nm3] when using a high-temperature electrolyzer (SOE) followed by the PEME of 185 [Nm3] and then AE by 148 [Nm3].