Comprehensive Techno-economic Analysis Research Articles

Membrane-Free Water Electrolysis for Hydrogen Generation with Low Cost.

Conventional water electrolysis relies on expensive membrane-electrode assemblies and sluggish oxygen evolution reaction (OER) at the anode. Here, we develop an innovative and efficient membrane-free water electrolysis system to overcome these two obstacles simultaneously. This system utilizes the thermodynamically more favorable urea oxidation reaction (UOR) to generate clean N2 over a new class of Cu-based catalyst (CuXO), fundamentally eliminating the explosion risk of H2 and O2 mixing while removing the need for membranes. Notably, this membrane-free electrolysis system exhibits the highest H2 Faradaic efficiency among reported membrane-free electrolysis work. In situ spectroscopic studies reveal that the new N2Hy intermediate-mediated UOR mechanism on the CuXO catalyst ensures its unique N2 selectivity and OER inertness. More importantly, an industrial-type membrane-free water electrolyser (MFE) based on this system successfully reduces electricity consumption to only 3.87 kWh Nm-3, significantly lower than the 5.17 kWh Nm-3 of commercial alkaline water electrolyzers (AWE). Comprehensive techno-economic analysis (TEA) suggests that the membrane-free design and reduced electricity input of the MFE plants reduce the green H2 production cost to US$1.81 kg-1, which is lower than those of grey H2 while meeting the technical target (US$2.00-2.50 kg-1) set by European Commission and United States Department of Energy.

Supercritical mechano-exfoliation process

The intricate balance among cost, output, and quality has substantially hindered the practical application of graphene within the downstream industry chain. Here we present a scalable and green supercritical CO2-assisted mechano-exfoliation (SCME) process that omits the use of organic solvents and oxidants throughout the production lifecycle, including exfoliation, separation, and purification. The SCME process achieves graphene powder space-time yields exceeding 40 kg/(m³·day) at laboratory (0.06–0.2 kg) and pilot scales ( > 4 kg), with resultant free-standing films showing conductivities up to 5.26 × 10⁵ S/m. Further kinetic investigations propose general guidelines for grinding-assisted exfoliation: (1) the macroscopic optimizing ability of mechanotechnics for mass transfer frequency and stress distribution and (2) the microscopic multiplication ability of exfoliation medium for shear-delamination. The comprehensive techno-economic analysis also underscores the economic viability of the SCME process for large-scale production.

Innovative recycling and conversion of aluminum waste to hydrogen and aluminum chloride: Enhancing economic feasibility and sustainability in Saudi Arabia

The rapid industrialization and urbanization in Saudi Arabia have led to significant challenges in waste management, particularly in recycling aluminum waste. This study explores an innovative approach for converting aluminum waste, specifically beverage cans, into valuable products such as aluminum chloride (AlCl3) and hydrogen (H2). The process involves the chemical reaction of aluminum with hydrochloric acid (HCl), producing AlCl3 and H2, and is modeled using Aspen Plus software. Two scenarios are evaluated: one without recycling and one incorporating recycling processes. In the first scenario, the direct conversion process yields 355 tons of AlCl3 and 9 tons of H2 per day from 100 metric tons of aluminum waste. The minimum selling price (MSP) of AlCl3 is calculated to be $764 per ton, with an annual profit of $25 million, assuming a market price of $1000 per ton. However, the economic viability of this scenario is highly sensitive to conversion efficiencies and market conditions. The second scenario integrates a recycling loop, processing 90 % of the aluminum waste back into aluminum, significantly enhancing economic stability. This scenario produces 35 tons of AlCl3 and 1 ton of H2 per day, with an MSP of $1068 per ton. Despite the higher MSP, the inclusion of recycled aluminum, sold at $2400 per ton, results in a higher annual profit of $38 million, demonstrating greater economic resilience and sustainability. This study provides a comprehensive techno-economic analysis, highlighting the dual benefits of waste reduction and resource recovery. By optimizing reaction conditions and incorporating recycling, the proposed process aligns with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 sustainability goals, offering a viable pathway for enhancing economic feasibility and environmental sustainability in aluminum waste management.

Techno economic analysis of electrolytic hydrogen production by alkaline and PEM electrolysers using MCDM methods

Hydrogen, a crucial clean and renewable energy source, addresses pressing challenges of energy security and environmental pollution. Water electrolysis for hydrogen production is a promising approach to satisfy the growing demand for sustainable energy. This study uniquely performs a comprehensive techno-economic analysis of hydrogen production using both Alkaline and Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) electrolyzers, a first in the field to evaluate their performance comprehensively with advanced Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) techniques. Leveraging TOPSIS, WASPAS interval methods, and the Best Worst Method (BWM) with fuzzy logic, this research introduces a novel evaluation framework that incorporates a wide-ranging set of factors, including environmental, technical, technological, economic, and social aspects, divided into 30 sub-criteria. These insights offer a comprehensive understanding of each electrolyser's strengths and weaknesses, helping stakeholders make informed decisions about cost reduction in hydrogen production technologies. This has not been done before. Although cost results favour Alkaline electrolysers, PEM electrolysers are attractive for specific applications where their benefits justify the higher initial cost, choosing between Alkaline and PEM electrolysers dependent on a given hydrogen production project's requirements.

From waste to advanced resource: Techno-economic and life cycle assessment behind the integration of polyester recycling and glucose production to valorize fast fashion garments

This work demonstrates the technical, economical, and environmental viability of integrating enzymatic hydrolysis, mechanical refining, and total chlorine-free (TCF) bleaching processes for industrial-scale production of glucose from textile waste. The process features an innovative mechanical refining pretreatment coupled with TCF oxidation of dyes to achieve over 90% improvement in enzymatic hydrolysis yields of cotton textile waste while also promoting the purification and recycling of synthetic fibers. A comprehensive techno-economic analysis was performed based on a 14,000 bone dry tons (BD tons) annual glucose production line, utilizing both 100% cotton and cotton/polyester blends, reveals capital investments ranging from USD 5.6 to 7.9 million, with manufacturing costs per ton of glucose varying between USD 215 and USD 475, depending on the textile blend used. The cotton/polyester 50/50 blend scenario had the lowest minimum selling price (USD 290 per ton of glucose) due to the revenue from the unhydrolyzed synthetic fibers, which are a valuable and key co-product. A sensitivity analysis highlights the significant influence of recycled polyester content and market prices on the economics. Additionally, a life cycle assessment was performed to compare the carbon footprint of the four scenarios. In contrast to other existing pretreatments that can contribute to up to 70% of the emissions in enzymatic hydrolysis of textiles, the mechanical refining pretreatment can contribute as low as 10% of the total emissions in the process proposed in this work. While certain challenges remain, such as the development of a robust supply chain model, the conversion pathway shown in this work for upcycling cotton textile waste into value-added chemicals represents a promising opportunity to combat textile landfilling and foster the circular economy within the industry.

Conceptual hybrid energy model for different power potential scales: Technical and economic approaches

This research attempts to address the gap between the theoretical fundamentals of hybrid renewable energy systems and their practical implementation at different scales through a new Conceptual Hybrid Energy Model (COHYBEM). The main objective was to develop a multi-variable model to allow a new complete and comprehensive techno-economic analysis of the performance of possible hybrid renewable power systems at different scales. The purpose is to evaluate the influence of critical parameters by changing key parameters in the developed model and identifying their impacts. It covers big data analyses, simulation and optimization of hybrid energy solutions, combining wind, solar and hydropower energy sources with the energy storage technology of pump hydropower storage. The research also denoted the Pareto front with the increasing power installed, for the maximum efficiency and total satisfied demand by Wind + PVSolar and by Hydro converges to a higher percentage, while a minimum waste by Wind + PVSolar is also progressing towards the increasing scales. In terms of investment costs for the 243 analyzed case studies, it varies between 45 k€ to 2.1 M€, resulting in a net present value (NPV) between 18 and 600 k€ and a payback period around 6–17 years depending on the power scale analyzed.

Process Development and Techno-Economic Analysis for Combined and Separated CO2 Capture-Electrochemical Utilization

Combining CO2 capture and utilization into a single unit operation offers a feasible solution for converting a sustainable feedstock into marketable commodity chemicals, while reducing energy requirements from separated processes. In this research, we developed a process model and performed a techno-economic analysis (TEA) for point-source CO2 capture and electrochemical-based utilization in light olefins production under both separated and integrated scenarios. CO2 containing flue gas from a 500 MW power plant was utilized as a feed while CO2 utilization involved electrochemical reduction reactions to produce light olefins directly from CO2. A meticulous analysis was conducted, probing into the multifaceted impacts of various operating parameters, material properties, and downstream treatment units. Factors such as pressure, temperature, H2O/CO2 molar ratio, catalyst and adsorbent activities, deactivation rate, and heat integration were optimized to achieve 95 % CO2 recovery and > 90 % conversion, and > 85 % ethylene yield. Through a comprehensive TEA, our findings unveiled that the combined process utilizing bifunctional adsorbent/catalyst materials (BFMs) incurs costs of approximately $284/ton CO2, whereas the separated process reported expenses of ∼$516/ton CO2. This study, pivotal in its contributions, evaluated economic feasibility of combined capture-conversion method based on BFMs for CO2 removal and subsequent utilization via a promising advanced process model for sustainable feedstocks conversion to commodity chemicals.

Enriching wind power utility through offshore wind-hydrogen-chemicals nexus: Feasible routes and their economic performance

The offshore wind-hydrogen strategy is crucial for achieving carbon neutrality, yet faces challenges like wind power variability, surplus hydrogen, and elevated costs. Recently, linking offshore wind, hydrogen, and chemicals is proposed to address these challenges. However, there is a lack of a comprehensive techno-economic analysis of this nexus. This study, as one of the first attempts, performs the techno-economic analysis of 8 feasible offshore wind-hydrogen-chemical nexus routes, in which factors of technology, economics, and financial policy are considered. The research indicates that Route 7, which incorporates offshore wind power utilizing proton exchange membrane technology for hydrogen production and blends it with natural gas on offshore platforms, demonstrates the most cost-effective outcome. The key factors influencing the cost reduction of these routes encompass the green hydrogen price, capital costs, internal rate of return, electricity price, value-added tax rate, and loan ratio. Among these, the green hydrogen price is the primary determinant influencing the cost of green products. If the price of green hydrogen decreases to 2.19 USD/kg, green synthetic ammonia can meet the current standard of 605.47 USD/t. Finally, the results can provide important reference to support stakeholders for seeking cost-effective routes of offshore wind-hydrogen-chemical nexus in China and other regions.

Techno-Economic Analysis of Combined Production of Wind Energy and Green Hydrogen on the Northern Coast of Mauritania

Green hydrogen is becoming increasingly popular, with academics, institutions, and governments concentrating on its development, efficiency improvement, and cost reduction. The objective of the Ministry of Petroleum, Mines, and Energy is to achieve a 35% proportion of renewable energy in the overall energy composition by the year 2030, followed by a 50% commitment by 2050. This goal will be achieved through the implementation of feed-in tariffs and the integration of independent power generators. The present study focused on the economic feasibility of green hydrogen and its production process utilizing renewable energy resources on the northern coast of Mauritania. The current investigation also explored the wind potential along the northern coast of Mauritania, spanning over 600 km between Nouakchott and Nouadhibou. Wind data from masts, Lidar stations, and satellites at 10 and 80 m heights from 2022 to 2023 were used to assess wind characteristics and evaluate five turbine types for local conditions. A comprehensive techno-economic analysis was carried out at five specific sites, encompassing the measures of levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) and levelized cost of green hydrogen (LCOGH), as well as sensitivity analysis and economic performance indicators. The results showed an annual average wind speed of 7.6 m/s in Nouakchott to 9.8 m/s in Nouadhibou at 80 m. The GOLDWIND 3.0 MW model showed the highest capacity factor of 50.81% due to its low cut-in speed of 2.5 m/s and its rated wind speed of 10.5 to 11 m/s. The NORDEX 4 MW model forecasted an annual production of 21.97 GWh in Nouadhibou and 19.23 GWh in Boulanoir, with the LCOE ranging from USD 5.69 to 6.51 cents/kWh, below the local electricity tariff, and an LCOGH of USD 1.85 to 2.11 US/kg H2. Multiple economic indicators confirmed the feasibility of wind energy and green hydrogen projects in assessed sites. These results boosted the confidence of the techno-economic model, highlighting the resilience of future investments in these sustainable energy infrastructures. Mauritania’s north coast has potential for wind energy, aiding green hydrogen production for energy goals.

Prospects of green hydrogen production in the Philippines from solar photovoltaic and wind resources: A techno-economic analysis for the present and 2030

As global temperatures continue to rise, reducing greenhouse gas emissions is more important than ever – demanding an urgent transition to renewable energy systems. In this study, the potential for green hydrogen production from solar and wind sources in the Philippines is explored. Renewable energy systems can yield higher decarbonization by producing green hydrogen, potentially an ‘energy vector’ for industrial, power, and transportation applications, thereby representing a promising solution for the nation's energy transition. This study explores the competitiveness of green hydrogen production in the Philippines through a comprehensive techno-economic analysis to predict the levelized cost of hydrogen (LCOH) derived from solar- and wind-powered electrolysis. The 2030 projections explore three scenarios, each representing varying research and development intensities resulting in different electrolyzer costs. The resulting LCOH values underscore the need for economic policy interventions to slash hydrogen costs to a competitive level. The present and near-future costs and attributes of electrolysis technologies still fall short compared to fossil fuel-based pathways. Furthermore, sensitivity and uncertainty analyses are conducted to investigate subsidy and policy requirements, and random changes to costs. The findings of this work provide a comprehensive understanding of the potential fluctuations and challenges in the economic landscape in the Philippines.

Integrated rooftop solar PV-based residential advanced energy management system: An economic involvement of energy systems for prosumers

The growing adoption of rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, coupled with the ability to sell surplus energy back to the national grid, presents a promising opportunity for residential energy management. This research introduces an innovative Advanced Energy Management System (AEMS) that integrates rooftop solar PV with energy-efficient appliances, offering a transformative approach to optimizing household energy consumption. By leveraging advanced demand-side management (DSM) techniques, the AEMS enables users to strategically shift energy usage away from peak hours, thereby reducing reliance on grid energy and minimizing costs. Empirical evaluations reveal that the AEMS significantly outperforms conventional energy management systems, achieving cost reductions of 28.59–35.48 %. The user-friendly interface and robust optimization strategies of the proposed model ensure operational efficiency, making it a valuable tool for maximizing energy savings and enhancing grid stability. Focusing on the specific context of Bangladesh, this study provides a comprehensive techno-economic analysis, demonstrating the practical applicability and long-term sustainability of suggested AEMS. The findings underscore the potential of the proposed model to revolutionize residential energy management, positioning it as a key enabler of both economic and environmental benefits for prosumers in emerging markets.

Techno-Economic Assessment of Coaxial HTS HVAC Transmission Cables with Critical Current Grading between Phases Using the OSCaR Tool

In recent years, the scientific and industrial interest regarding alternative technologies for transmission cables has increased. These conductors should efficiently transmit significant amounts of power between grid nodes, which are expected to be particularly congested due to the projected global increase in electricity production. Superconducting cables are considered a promising solution in this context, offering the potential to transmit large amounts of energy with minimal losses and compact dimensions, thereby potentially benefiting the environment. To evaluate the feasibility of integrating superconducting cables into existing grids, techno-economic approaches should be adopted. Such techniques enable the conceptual design of a specific cable structure, allowing users to explore a wide range of operating parameters to derive optimal designs. This paper reports a comprehensive techno-economic analysis of High Voltage Alternating Current (HVAC) cables realized with High-Temperature Superconducting (HTS) tapes, with the aim to transmit extremely high-power level. The optimal coaxial design is selected using Optimization Tool for Superconducting Cable Research (OSCaR) by implementing a graded approach to the critical current of the HTS tapes used for the different phases. This optimization aims to achieve the most effective balance between the cost of the coated conductors and their electrical properties. The whole set of model equations, the user-defined parameters, and the applied constraints are detailed. The OSCaR tool is then applied to assess the impact on the optimized design of the cable system and the corresponding cost indexes of several crucial parameters, such as the maximum transmitted power, the voltage level, and the line length.

Transitioning metal-organic frameworks from the laboratory to market through applied research.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have captivated researchers for over 25 years, yet few have successfully transitioned to commercial markets. This Perspective elucidates the progress, challenges and opportunities in moving MOFs to market, focusing on applied research. The five applied research steps that enable technology development and demonstration are reviewed: synthesis, forming, processing (washing and activation), prototyping and compliance. Furthermore, the importance of a comprehensive techno-economic analysis incorporating a complete picture of costs and revenues is discussed. Readers can use the understanding of applied research presented herein to tackle their MOF commercialization challenges.

Economics of Electrowinning Iron from Ore for Green Steel Production

The transition to green steel production is pivotal for reducing global carbon emissions. This study presents a comprehensive techno-economic analysis of various green steel production methods, including hydrogen reduction and three different electrolysis techniques: aqueous hydroxide electrolysis (AHE), molten salt electrolysis, and molten oxide electrolysis (MOE). By comparing process flow diagrams, capital and operational expenditures, specific energy consumption, and production footprint, this work provides a high-level assessment of the economic viability of these processes as they mature. The analysis reveals that MOE, despite its ongoing development, offers a promising route for iron production given its ability to process a wide range of ore qualities and the potential to sell electrolyte as a cement product. However, the best balance between deployment ready technology and economic benefit is AHE. Operational challenges are also discussed, such as electrolyte loss and slag handling. We suggest that the sale of by-products like oxygen may not significantly impact the economics due to market saturation. The findings underscore the importance of continued research and development in process optimization to realize the full potential of green steel technologies. All the calculations have been released as supplementary electronic material (MS Excel workbook). The format has been inspired by the techno-economic assessment template (TECHTEST) distributed by the US Dept. of Energy.Graphical

Upcycling potential of hazardous tannery sludge to value-added products: Process modelling, simulation, and 3E analysis

The sustainability of the tannery sector largely depends on the eco-friendly management of its solid and liquid wastes. Unfortunately, the global tannery sector is strappingly suffering a significant challenge to meet environmental standards towards sustainability due to a lack of tannery sludge (TS) management facilities as well as lacking research on hazardous TS upcycling facilities to value-added products. Hence, TS from leather processing generally undergoes open dumping, responsible for environmental pollution, including water, soil, and air pollution. To ensure the sustainability of tannery sector, pioneeringly, this study attempts to conceptually design gasification based on four novel upcycling potentials of TS-to-value added products such as (i) TS to syngas with steam generation (TS-SS), (ii) TS to hydrogen with power generation (TS-HP), (iii) TS to power generation with carbon capture (TS-PCC), and (iv) TS to methanol production with power production (TS-MPP) using ASPEN Plus® simulator. Further, this research offers a comprehensive techno-economic analysis to evaluate the economic feasibility of the proposed four TS upcycling processes. The TS-PCC and TS-HP processes outperformed for their net energy efficiencies of 72.80 % and 50.22 %, correspondingly, compared to TS-HP (39.13 %) and TS-MPP (40.38 %). Regarding exergy efficiency, the TS upcycling processes coded TS-MPP and TS-HP demonstrated better net exergy efficiencies of 34.34 % and 27.20 %, respectively, compared to TS-SS and TS-PCC upcycling processes. These results confirm that TS-HP is much more efficient in terms of exergy. Furthermore, techno-economic analysis has confirmed that the developed processes, namely TS-SS and TS-PCC, are economically viable at a 70 % plant efficiency, whereas other processes, such as TS-HP and TS-MPP, are financially viable only if a subsidy of $33/ton subsidy is provided. The study findings have a significant impact on the development of circular economy-based industrial-scale TS management facilities in developing countries, which can ensure the sustainability of the leather sector.

Economic and sustainability prospects for wet waste valorization: The case for sustainable aviation fuel from arrested anaerobic digestion

Valorizing wet wastes to sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) can be achieved through sequential arrested anaerobic digestion (AAD) to volatile fatty acids (VFAs) and thermochemical catalytic upgrading. Alternatively, conventional anaerobic digestion (AD) can use wet waste to produce biogas (for electricity generation), biomethane, or green hydrogen. To assess the VFA-SAF pathway, we conducted a comprehensive techno-economic analysis (TEA) of each approach using Aspen Plus and discounted cash flow models, coupled with life cycle assessment (LCA) to estimate fuel carbon intensity (CI) and evaluate the implications of policy incentives for carbon emissions reduction.First, we calculated the minimum fuel selling price (MFSP) required to meet a 10 % internal rate of return (IRR) for each product without policy incentives. In this scenario, all pathways faced challenges in meeting the market values of equivalent fossil-based products. Next, we examined projected costs for alternative sustainable technologies and found that SAF and biomethane from wet waste were competitive, while electricity and hydrogen costs were significantly higher. Finally, we incorporated current policy incentives; with incentives, all pathways exceeded a 10 % IRR using fossil-equivalent selling prices. Among all the options considered, VFA-SAF produced the most profitable carbon-negative fuel that was economically competitive with alternative sustainable technologies.

Economic and technical evaluation of on-site electrolysis solar hydrogen refueling station in Corsica: A case study of Ajaccio

The European Union's ambitious target of achieving climate neutrality by 2050 necessitates a transition away from fossil fuels towards renewable energy sources. Hydrogen has emerged as a promising alternative, particularly as a fuel for large-scale transportation, including heavy-duty vehicles. The fleet buses in Ajaccio travel 1 494 007.9 km per year, responsible for 1453.67 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually. Utilizing green hydrogen, derived from renewable sources, can reduce these emissions by 87.3 %. This paper conducts a comprehensive techno-economic analysis of a hydrogen refueling station, aiming to foster the adoption of this technology and gain widespread acceptance. Our objective is to determine the economic viability of a hydrogen station capable of producing 440 kg of hydrogen daily. The Levelized Hydrogen Cost (LHC) is found to be 6.95 €/kg over a 20-year lifespan with electrolyzers operating at a power of 4.5 MW. The total installation cost amounts to 22 324 617 €. Remarkably, the return on investment is realized in the 11th year of operation. Electrolyzers account for 46 % of the system's total CAPEX and 29 % of its OPEX, indicating that advancements in electrolyzer technology will play a crucial role in reducing production costs. Our findings underscore the economic viability of the hydrogen refueling station, with a compelling LHC value indicative of its cost-effectiveness. The successful return on investment within a relatively short timeframe highlights the project's potential as a financially sound and sustainable initiative.

Techno-economic assessment and carbon pricing analysis for economic feasibility of epoxidized sucrose soyate: A biobased thermoset resin

The substantial environmental issues associated with plastic production have prompted researchers to accelerate the development of environmentally friendly biobased alternatives to reduce reliance on petroleum-based resources and mitigate emissions. Epoxidized Sucrose Soyate (ESS), a high-performance biobased epoxy resin obtained from soybean oil and sucrose, has shown promising potential in polymers and coatings applications. The success of ESS performance necessitates further investigations into its industrial-scale production and viability as an environmentally sustainable alternative to conventional petroleum-based resins. This study consists of a comprehensive techno-economic analysis (TEA) and cradle-to-gate life cycle assessment (LCA) to evaluate the technical, economic, and environmental feasibility of industrial-scale ESS production. The minimum selling price (MSP) of ESS at various production scales was estimated which offers insights into cost optimization. The MSP for 0.1, 1.0, and 10 ton/h processing capacity of sucrose soyate was calculated to be $9.57, $6.74, and $6.62 per kg of ESS, respectively. Relative to a comparable petroleum-based epoxy resin with similar functionality, such as bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (with a price range of $1.8 to $5.2 per kg), larger scales of ESS production have the potential to compete economically. The LCA results demonstrated the superior environmental performance of ESS, especially in the global warming potential category, indicating its potential as a compelling sustainable choice for replacing petroleum-based resins. This combined TEA and LCA study demonstrated the economic viability and environmental benefits of ESS, highlighting its promise as a sustainable alternative for industrial applications.

Comparative analysis of solar module configuration and tracking systems for enhanced energy generation in South Sakucia Union, Bhola, Bangladesh: A software based analysis

Bangladesh is blessed with an extensive range of solar energy generation possibilities; however, the primary impediment to attaining its full potential in the solar energy industry is the inadequate budget in the energy sector. As a result, determining the most economical and efficient solar module configuration for each specific scenario has become a critical necessity. This study offers a comprehensive techno-economic analysis and environmental impact assessment of four distinct solar modules: monofacial, bifacial, dual-axis solar tracker, and seasonal tilt solar module, in an open area of South Sakucia Union, Bhola district, in the southwest part of Bangladesh. By integrating energy-generation capabilities, financial metrics, and environmental benefits, this research provides a holistic evaluation framework to ensure optimal economic performance and minimal adverse environmental effects for sustainable solar solutions in Bangladesh. Utilizing PV*SOL, PVsyst, and System Advisor Model (SAM) software, this study assesses energy-generation capabilities and economic viability. Despite the dual-axis solar tracker exhibiting the highest average energy generation (149,070.3 kWh/year), its higher initial cost renders it less financially viable compared to other configurations. Financial metrics reveal that the seasonal tilt configuration is the most cost-efficient, with the lowest Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE) at $0.0452/kWh and the highest Net Present Value (NPV) of $52,887.70. Additionally, it has the shortest Discounted Payback Period (DPBP) at 12.69 years, a favorable Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of 9.460 %, and a Profitability Index (PI) of 1.459, indicating robust returns on investment. These findings emphasize the importance of considering both energy-generation capabilities and financial metrics when evaluating solar module configurations in the southern part of Bangladesh, serving as a valuable reference for policymakers. Moreover, meticulous environmental impact assessments assist in choosing configurations with minimal adverse effects on the environment.

Full analysis and deep learning optimization of a sustainable and eco-friendly power plant to generate green hydrogen and electricity; A zero-carbon approach

Among alternative energy sources for fossil fuels, hydrogen has emerged as a promising candidate; however, its production methods, reliant on fossil fuels, constrain its widespread adoption as a sustainable energy source. To transcend this limitation, researchers have proposed the concept of green hydrogen production, leveraging renewable energy sources, as a viable solution. This study presents a comprehensive techno-economic analysis that seeks to evaluate the feasibility of establishing a multi-generation green power plant in Iran. Extensive climate data from diverse locations across Iran were collected to determine the most influential design parameters. A mathematical model was developed to simulate the entire system, and an innovative neural network algorithm was employed to optimize the objective functions, given the substantial computational time required for the optimization process. The results of the optimization revealed Qeshm island as the optimal location for the green power plant, considering its favorable annual average temperature, wind speed, and solar radiation intensity. Remarkably, the proposed green power plant boasts a robust power generation capacity of 10.1 MW, enabling the production of 250 tons of hydrogen per year, exhibiting a 10 % improvement in exergy efficiency, and a 6 % reduction in LCOE, in comparison to similar studies. Furthermore, it exhibits an impressive total exergy efficiency of 41.6 %, resulting in a substantial annual income of $3.9 million and achieving a commendable payback period of 1.8 years.