A novel hybrid photovoltaic/thermal-fuel cell system for efficient hydrogen, heat, and power generation: Techno-economic and environmental evaluation

<p dir="ltr">This article presents techno-economic and environmental (3E) assessment of a novel hybrid photovoltaic thermal solar collector and fuel cell (PVT-FC) system for integrated electricity, heat, and green hydrogen (CPHH) production. The system configuration consists of PVT u...

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Main Author: Bashar Shboul (22927252) (author)
Other Authors: Mohamed E. Zayed (5532455) (author), A.S. Abdelrazik (22927255) (author), Mohammad Alrbai (22927258) (author), Habes Ali Khawaldeh (22927261) (author), Fares Almomani (12585685) (author)
Published: 2025
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_version_ 1864513531535163392
author Bashar Shboul (22927252)
author2 Mohamed E. Zayed (5532455)
A.S. Abdelrazik (22927255)
Mohammad Alrbai (22927258)
Habes Ali Khawaldeh (22927261)
Fares Almomani (12585685)
author2_role author
author
author
author
author
author_facet Bashar Shboul (22927252)
Mohamed E. Zayed (5532455)
A.S. Abdelrazik (22927255)
Mohammad Alrbai (22927258)
Habes Ali Khawaldeh (22927261)
Fares Almomani (12585685)
author_role author
dc.creator.none.fl_str_mv Bashar Shboul (22927252)
Mohamed E. Zayed (5532455)
A.S. Abdelrazik (22927255)
Mohammad Alrbai (22927258)
Habes Ali Khawaldeh (22927261)
Fares Almomani (12585685)
dc.date.none.fl_str_mv 2025-05-26T12:00:00Z
dc.identifier.none.fl_str_mv 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2025.03.086
dc.relation.none.fl_str_mv https://figshare.com/articles/journal_contribution/A_novel_hybrid_photovoltaic_thermal-fuel_cell_system_for_efficient_hydrogen_heat_and_power_generation_Techno-economic_and_environmental_evaluation/30970543
dc.rights.none.fl_str_mv CC BY 4.0
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.subject.none.fl_str_mv Engineering
Electrical engineering
Electronics, sensors and digital hardware
Environmental engineering
Techno-economic analysis
Green hydrogen
Photovoltaic thermal collector
Fuel cell
Poly-generation
Electrolyzer
dc.title.none.fl_str_mv A novel hybrid photovoltaic/thermal-fuel cell system for efficient hydrogen, heat, and power generation: Techno-economic and environmental evaluation
dc.type.none.fl_str_mv Text
Journal contribution
info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion
text
contribution to journal
description <p dir="ltr">This article presents techno-economic and environmental (3E) assessment of a novel hybrid photovoltaic thermal solar collector and fuel cell (PVT-FC) system for integrated electricity, heat, and green hydrogen (CPHH) production. The system configuration consists of PVT units, an electrolyzer, fuel cells (FCs), an inverter, and water and hydrogen storage tanks. The study uses MATLAB/Simulink® to assess technical, economic, and environmental factors, enhancing efficiency and competitiveness over conventional PV/FC systems. Key performance metrics including total power generation (P<sub>PVT-FC</sub>), hydrogen mass production (m<sub>PVT-FC</sub> ), gross thermal power output (Q<sub>PVT-FC)</sub> and overall system efficiency (η<sub>PVT-FC</sub>) as well as levelized cost of energy (LCOE), levelized cost of hydrogen (LCOH), Total Carbon Emission Reduction (TCER), and associated financial savings were assessed. The influences of system parameters—coolant inlet and outlet temperatures, mass flow rate, electrolyzer efficiency, fuel cell temperature and cell count—on output performance were explored. Findings reveal that as cooling fluid inlet temperature increases from 4 °C to 32 °C, the P<sub>PVT-FC</sub>and m<sub>PVT-FC</sub> declined. The P<sub>PVT-FC</sub> dropping from 2.0 kW to 0.75 kW and the η<sub>PVT-FC</sub> 16%–8%, while the Q<sub>PVT-FC</sub> remains stable at ∼689.5 kW. Increasing the coolant outlet temperature and electrolyzer efficiency enhances m<sub>PVT-FC</sub> and η<sub>PVT-FC</sub> reaching a maximum efficiency of 18.06% at a 0.5 kg/s flow rate. Furthermore, increasing fuel cell temperature from 40 °C to 100 °C significantly improves overall η<sub>PVT-FC</sub> and m<sub>PVT-FC</sub>, demonstrating the direct impact of thermal regulation on system performance. Results at different outlet temperatures show that higher coolant flow rates and electrolyzer efficiencies improve hydrogen yield and system efficiency, achieving a maximum of 18.06% efficiency at 0.5 kg/s flow rate. Economically, the LCOE remains steady at ∼0.25 $/kWh, while LCOH varies between 53 $/kg and 56 $/kg as the outlet temperature increases to 60 °C. Increasing the number of fuel cells from 50 to 400 reduces LCOE but increases LCOH, while significantly boosting CO<sub>2</sub> emissions reduction and financial savings, achieving up to 350 tons of CO<sub>2</sub> reduction and approximately $900/h in savings. The proposed system presents an innovative and efficient solution for the integrated production of electricity, heat, and green hydrogen (CPHH).</p><h2 dir="ltr">Other Information</h2><p dir="ltr">Published in: International Journal of Hydrogen Energy<br>License: <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/" target="_blank">http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/</a><br>See article on publisher's website: <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2025.03.086" target="_blank">https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2025.03.086</a></p>
eu_rights_str_mv openAccess
id Manara2_7a42a50a9067fee165ede62f74ae9245
identifier_str_mv 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2025.03.086
network_acronym_str Manara2
network_name_str Manara2
oai_identifier_str oai:figshare.com:article/30970543
publishDate 2025
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rights_invalid_str_mv CC BY 4.0
spelling A novel hybrid photovoltaic/thermal-fuel cell system for efficient hydrogen, heat, and power generation: Techno-economic and environmental evaluationBashar Shboul (22927252)Mohamed E. Zayed (5532455)A.S. Abdelrazik (22927255)Mohammad Alrbai (22927258)Habes Ali Khawaldeh (22927261)Fares Almomani (12585685)EngineeringElectrical engineeringElectronics, sensors and digital hardwareEnvironmental engineeringTechno-economic analysisGreen hydrogenPhotovoltaic thermal collectorFuel cellPoly-generationElectrolyzer<p dir="ltr">This article presents techno-economic and environmental (3E) assessment of a novel hybrid photovoltaic thermal solar collector and fuel cell (PVT-FC) system for integrated electricity, heat, and green hydrogen (CPHH) production. The system configuration consists of PVT units, an electrolyzer, fuel cells (FCs), an inverter, and water and hydrogen storage tanks. The study uses MATLAB/Simulink® to assess technical, economic, and environmental factors, enhancing efficiency and competitiveness over conventional PV/FC systems. Key performance metrics including total power generation (P<sub>PVT-FC</sub>), hydrogen mass production (m<sub>PVT-FC</sub> ), gross thermal power output (Q<sub>PVT-FC)</sub> and overall system efficiency (η<sub>PVT-FC</sub>) as well as levelized cost of energy (LCOE), levelized cost of hydrogen (LCOH), Total Carbon Emission Reduction (TCER), and associated financial savings were assessed. The influences of system parameters—coolant inlet and outlet temperatures, mass flow rate, electrolyzer efficiency, fuel cell temperature and cell count—on output performance were explored. Findings reveal that as cooling fluid inlet temperature increases from 4 °C to 32 °C, the P<sub>PVT-FC</sub>and m<sub>PVT-FC</sub> declined. The P<sub>PVT-FC</sub> dropping from 2.0 kW to 0.75 kW and the η<sub>PVT-FC</sub> 16%–8%, while the Q<sub>PVT-FC</sub> remains stable at ∼689.5 kW. Increasing the coolant outlet temperature and electrolyzer efficiency enhances m<sub>PVT-FC</sub> and η<sub>PVT-FC</sub> reaching a maximum efficiency of 18.06% at a 0.5 kg/s flow rate. Furthermore, increasing fuel cell temperature from 40 °C to 100 °C significantly improves overall η<sub>PVT-FC</sub> and m<sub>PVT-FC</sub>, demonstrating the direct impact of thermal regulation on system performance. Results at different outlet temperatures show that higher coolant flow rates and electrolyzer efficiencies improve hydrogen yield and system efficiency, achieving a maximum of 18.06% efficiency at 0.5 kg/s flow rate. Economically, the LCOE remains steady at ∼0.25 $/kWh, while LCOH varies between 53 $/kg and 56 $/kg as the outlet temperature increases to 60 °C. Increasing the number of fuel cells from 50 to 400 reduces LCOE but increases LCOH, while significantly boosting CO<sub>2</sub> emissions reduction and financial savings, achieving up to 350 tons of CO<sub>2</sub> reduction and approximately $900/h in savings. The proposed system presents an innovative and efficient solution for the integrated production of electricity, heat, and green hydrogen (CPHH).</p><h2 dir="ltr">Other Information</h2><p dir="ltr">Published in: International Journal of Hydrogen Energy<br>License: <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/" target="_blank">http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/</a><br>See article on publisher's website: <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2025.03.086" target="_blank">https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2025.03.086</a></p>2025-05-26T12:00:00ZTextJournal contributioninfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersiontextcontribution to journal10.1016/j.ijhydene.2025.03.086https://figshare.com/articles/journal_contribution/A_novel_hybrid_photovoltaic_thermal-fuel_cell_system_for_efficient_hydrogen_heat_and_power_generation_Techno-economic_and_environmental_evaluation/30970543CC BY 4.0info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccessoai:figshare.com:article/309705432025-05-26T12:00:00Z
spellingShingle A novel hybrid photovoltaic/thermal-fuel cell system for efficient hydrogen, heat, and power generation: Techno-economic and environmental evaluation
Bashar Shboul (22927252)
Engineering
Electrical engineering
Electronics, sensors and digital hardware
Environmental engineering
Techno-economic analysis
Green hydrogen
Photovoltaic thermal collector
Fuel cell
Poly-generation
Electrolyzer
status_str publishedVersion
title A novel hybrid photovoltaic/thermal-fuel cell system for efficient hydrogen, heat, and power generation: Techno-economic and environmental evaluation
title_full A novel hybrid photovoltaic/thermal-fuel cell system for efficient hydrogen, heat, and power generation: Techno-economic and environmental evaluation
title_fullStr A novel hybrid photovoltaic/thermal-fuel cell system for efficient hydrogen, heat, and power generation: Techno-economic and environmental evaluation
title_full_unstemmed A novel hybrid photovoltaic/thermal-fuel cell system for efficient hydrogen, heat, and power generation: Techno-economic and environmental evaluation
title_short A novel hybrid photovoltaic/thermal-fuel cell system for efficient hydrogen, heat, and power generation: Techno-economic and environmental evaluation
title_sort A novel hybrid photovoltaic/thermal-fuel cell system for efficient hydrogen, heat, and power generation: Techno-economic and environmental evaluation
topic Engineering
Electrical engineering
Electronics, sensors and digital hardware
Environmental engineering
Techno-economic analysis
Green hydrogen
Photovoltaic thermal collector
Fuel cell
Poly-generation
Electrolyzer