The conference, co-led by the Power & Energy Society (PES) and Industrial Applications Society (IAS) factions of the IEEE, connected research scientists, engineers and practitioners to not only discuss the latest research findings but also explore innovative ideas and emerging technologies in the power system sector.
The paper, titled: “Unlocking Green Hydrogen: Optimal Sizing of a Hybrid Power Supply for a Green Hydrogen Production Plant Using Metaheuristic Algorithms,” was co-authored with Dr Mohamed Fayaz Khan from the School of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering from the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN).
The study highlights the potential of green hydrogen production through water electrolysis powered by renewable energy sources as a promising solution for addressing climate change and promoting sustainable industrialisation. However, the high costs of renewable energy systems present economic challenges. It explores the financial and technical feasibility of green hydrogen and suggests ways to optimise renewable energy sources for efficient and cost-effective green hydrogen production.
The backdrop of this research is the high cost associated with renewable energy, which is currently creating a significant barrier to the adoption of green hydrogen. Previous research assessed the viability of green hydrogen power supply within the eThewkini Municipality, focusing on the potential yields, financials, and the total lifecycle cost of such a project. It was identified that for efficient operation, the hydrogen plant would require a substantial instantaneous power input of 14.3 MW, transacting a total power consumption of 4050 MWh per month.
Building on this previous research, the study employs a suite of metaheuristic algorithms, namely the genetic algorithm, which draws inspiration from the power of natural selection; Particle Swarm Optimisation (PSO), an evolutionary algorithm based on organisms’ social behaviour; and the Flower Pollination Algorithm (FPA), which simulates interactions between flowers and pollinators. These algorithms are used to assess the viability of green hydrogen production in power supplies and determine optimal solutions to meet the needs of green hydrogen production plants efficiently and cost-effectively.
Unlocking green hydrogen thoroughly evaluated the essential sizing for solar PV and offshore wind farm solutions, considering the intermittent nature of solar power and the more consistent generation capability of offshore wind. Through meticulous analysis, the findings were both promising and compelling; they concluded that a hybrid energy solution offers the most viable path forward for the production of green hydrogen, balancing economic considerations with the imperative of sustainability.
The algorithms used in the study produced similar results, demonstrating the approach’s validity and consistency. This led to substantial savings in initial capital, making the project more cost-effective without sacrificing performance. Additionally, optimisation techniques reduced excess energy generation, striking a balance between potential additional revenue and the benefit of lower initial investments.
As the world grapples with the pressing need to mitigate climate change and transition to sustainable energy sources, the work of Umeshan Pillay and Dr Mohamed Fayas Khan offers a beacon of hope. They not only make a strong case for the use of hybrid solutions but also demonstrate the technical viability of combining renewable energy sources for the production of green hydrogen. This paves the way for a more sustainable and economically feasible future.
The full research paper will be linked here once published.
