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In response to climate change and the imperative for sustainable energy solutions, this study investigates the feasibility of producing green hydrogen and associated e-fuels (methane, methanol, and ammonia) using a renewable energy hybrid system in Dakhla, Morocco. Utilizing the System Advisor Model (SAM) software for simulation-based analysis, the research evaluates a hybrid system combining concentrated solar power (CSP) and photovoltaic (PV) plants against standalone counterparts. Various simulations comparing standalone PV and CSP plants with a novel CSP/PV hybrid concept were carried out. The hybrid system demonstrates significant promise, exhibiting increased annual energy yield and capacity factors up to 90%, leading to enhanced efficiency, performance, and cost savings with a Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE) approximating 17 cents/kWh. Furthermore, this paper conducts an in-depth exploration into the feasible production of hydrogen and its derived synthetic fuels utilizing hybrid renewable systems. The study provides a thorough examination of the production processes, yields, and efficiencies of hydrogen and its derivative e-fuels, with a focus on green hydrogen production through water electrolysis, CO2 hydrogenation, the Sabatier process, and the Haber-Bosch process. It sheds light on the potential applications of these fuels in the transportation sector, including in electric and hydrogen vehicles and aviation. The insights garnered are indispensable for crafting future strategies and policies in sustainable energy planning. These findings not only provide valuable direction for forthcoming initiatives in renewable energy but also underscore the pivotal role of hybridization in enhancing the efficient production and utilization of hydrogen within both renewable energy and transportation sectors. • PV and CSP systems to generate electricity for the Dakhla city was investigated. • A Hybrid system optimization has been proposed. • The Electricity surplus was used to produce hydrogen and hydrogen-based products. • Various scenarios for the heavy-duty application of e-fuel were presented and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The production of green hydrogen through electrolysis, utilizing renewable energies, is recognized as a pivotal element in the pursuit of decarbonization. In order to attain cost competitiveness for green hydrogen, reasonable generation costs are imperative. To identify cost-effective import partners for Germany, given its limited green hydrogen production capabilities, this study undertakes an exhaustive techno-economic analysis to determine the potential Levelized Cost of Hydrogen in Germany, Norway, Spain, Algeria, Morocco, and Egypt for the year 2050, which represents a critical milestone in European decarbonization efforts. Employing a stochastic approach with Monte Carlo simulations, the paper marks a significant contribution for projecting future cost ranges, acknowledging the multitude of uncertainties inherent in related cost parameters and emphasizing the importance of randomness in these assessments. Country-specific Weighted Average Cost of Capital are calculated in order to create a refined understanding of political and economic influences on cost formation, rather than using a uniform value across all investigated nations. Key findings reveal that among the evaluated nations, PV-based hydrogen emerges as the most cost-efficient alternative in all countries except Norway, with Spain presenting the lowest Levelized Cost of Hydrogen at 1.66 €/kg to 3.12 €/kg, followed by Algeria (1.72 €/kg to 3.23 €/kg) and Morocco (1.73 €/kg to 3.28 €/kg). Consequently, for economically favorable import options, Germany is advised to prioritize PV-based hydrogen imports from these countries. Additionally, hydrogen derived from onshore wind in Norway (2.24 €/kg to 3.73 €/kg) offers a feasible import alternative. To ensure supply chain diversity and reduce dependency on a single source, a mixed import strategy is advisable. Despite having the lowest electricity cost, Egypt shows the highest Levelized Cost of Hydrogen, primarily due to a significant Weighted Average Cost of Capital. • LCOH projections for 2050 were determined through Monte Carlo Simulation. • PV-based hydrogen is the most cost-effective option in all countries except Norway. • Spain exhibits the lowest LCOH, followed by Algeria and Morocco. • Country-specific WACC variations significantly impact the LCOH. • Importing from Spain, Algeria, Morocco (PV), and Norway (onshore) is advised. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogen has the potential to be considered almost the cleanest fuel of the future and a key contributor toward a low-carbon economy. This latter can be achieved through the production of green hydrogen by electrolysis using renewable energy sources. This work investigates the production of green hydrogen using solar PV-electrolysis configuration. Three different photovoltaic technologies including monocrystalline (m-Si), polycrystalline (p-Si) and amorphous (a-Si) have been used in this study. The aim of this paper is to identify the most suitable PV system for hydrogen production in mountain temperate climate conditions. Therefore, a performance assessment of the aforementioned PV systems has been conducted using data collected for an operation period of 6 years. In addition, the rate of degradation of each technology has been determined, and its effects on hydrogen generation and cost have been examined. The obtained results have shown that p-Si technology has the lowest degradation rate of (0.28%), followed by m-Si (0.41%), and a-Si (0.75%). In addition, key metrics including the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) as well as the levelized cost of hydrogen (LCOH) have been calculated. The findings indicate that the lowest LCOE and LCOH are achieved by p-Si (0.021 $/kWh, 3.59 $/kg), followed by a-Si technology (0.027 $/kWh, 4 $/kg), and m-Si (0.032 $/kWh, 4.34 $/kg). Therefore, the results demonstrates that p-Si is the most cost-effective and favorable technology for hydrogen production in the considered temperate climate. • Hydrogen production of 3 PV technologies under mountain climate of Morocco. • Performance evaluation under real weather conditions over an operation period of 6 years. • PV Degradation impact on hydrogen production. • The most cost-effective PV system for hydrogen production is p-Si. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyses which sources of low-carbon hydrogen for the Northwest European market are most competitive, taking into account costs of local production, conversion and transport. Production costs of electrolysis are strongly affected by local renewable electricity costs and capacity factors. Transport costs are the lowest by pipelines for distances under 10,000 km, with costs linearly increasing with distance. For larger distances, transport as ammonia is more efficient, with less relation to distance, despite higher conversion costs. The most competitive low-carbon hydrogen supply to the Northwest European market appears to be local Steam Methane Reforming with Carbon Capture and Storage when international gas prices return back to historical levels. When gas prices, however, remain high, then import from Morocco with electrolysis directly connected to offshore wind generation is found to be the most competitive source of low-carbon hydrogen. These conclusions are robust for various assumptions on costs and capacity factors. • The competitiveness of hydrogen supply depends on production and transport costs. • At historical gas prices, hydrogen produced by SMR with CCS is most competitive. • With higher gas prices, import of renewable hydrogen is favourable. • Import is also competitive when electrolysis is less capital intensive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]