Abstract
Hydrogen production using renewable power is becoming an essential pillar for future sustainable energy sector development worldwide. The Sultanate of Oman is presently integrating renewable power generations with a large share of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. The possibility of using the solar potential of the Sultanate can increase energy security and contribute to the development of the sustainable energy sector not only for the country but also for the international community. This study presents the hydrogen production potential using solar resources available in the Sultanate. About 15 locations throughout the Sultanate are considered to assess the hydrogen production opportunity using a solar PV system. A rank of merit order of the locations for producing hydrogen is identified. It reveals that Thumrait and Marmul are the most suitable locations, whereas Sur is the least qualified. This study also assesses the economic feasibility of hydrogen production, which shows that the levelized cost of hydrogen (LCOH) in the most suitable site, Thumrait, is 6.31 USD/kg. The LCOH in the least convenient location, Sur, is 7.32 USD/kg. Finally, a sensitivity analysis is performed to reveal the most significant influential factor affecting the future’s green hydrogen production cost. The findings indicate that green hydrogen production using solar power in the Sultanate is promising, and the LCOH is consistent with other studies worldwide.
Highlights
The findings indicate that green hydrogen production using solar power in the Sultanate is promising, and the levelized cost of hydrogen (LCOH) is consistent with other studies worldwide
For the purpose of evaluating the hydrogen production potential using solar PV in the Sultanate of Oman, energy production from solar PV and hydrogen generation from solar energy is estimated for the selected locations in the Sultanate of Oman
The levelized cost of energy (LCOE) is assessed to determine the cost of electricity that is used by the electrolyser
Summary
The energy sector plays an essential role in the decarbonisation effort by integrating renewable power generations. By the end of 2020, the aggregated installed capacity of renewable power generation has reached 2799 GW, which has the largest share of hydroelectric, solar, and wind power. In 2020, more than 80% of the new capacity added was from renewable sources, in which solar and wind accounts for about 91% of new renewables [1,2]. Hydrogen fuel from renewable sources has received significant interest because of its broad-spectrum applicability and ability to enhance the decarbonisation mission. The global hydrogen production capacity by the end of 2020 was 2.3 million tons, which is expected to reach 6.7 million tons by the end of
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