Optimal design of a hybrid PV/fuel cell power for supplying an electric tramway station
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This study presents the optimal design and techno-economic evaluation of a standalone hybrid renewable energy system for supplying an electric tramway station in Ouargla, southern Algeria. The proposed system combines photovoltaic (PV) generation, hydrogen production through water electrolysis, hydrogen storage, and electricity generation via fuel cells. The optimal configuration and component sizing were obtained using HOMER Pro, considering local climatic conditions and seasonal load variations.
The results indicate that solar energy meets most of the electrical demand during periods of high irradiance, while the fuel cell system ensures continuous power supply during low-solar or nighttime conditions. The optimized system achieves a 100% renewable energy fraction with a cost of energy of 0.187 $/kWh and a net present cost of 725 012 $. In addition, the system leads to near-zero pollutant emissions and a substantial reduction in CO2 emissions. These results demonstrate that the proposed hybrid system is technically reliable, economically viable, and environmentally sustainable, making it a promising solution for autonomous energy supply in desert regions with high solar potential.
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