Techno-economic evaluation of hybrid renewable hydrogen systems in Saudi Arabia

Hybrid renewable energy systems integrating photovoltaic solar and wind energy present a viable, sustainable hydrogen production approach consistent with the energy diversification objectives outlined in Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030. The techno-economic feasibility of grid-connected and off-grid hydrogen systems in three regions of Saudi Arabia—Yanbu, Al Jouf, and Riyadh—is evaluated in this study. HOMER simulations optimized system configurations, incorporating location-specific solar irradiance, wind resources, temperature profiles, and component costs. The results indicate that grid-connected systems exhibit superior performance, achieving lower levelized energy costs (LCOE) and cost of hydrogen (COH) in comparison with off-grid systems. The grid-connected system in Yanbu recorded an LCOE of $0.106/kWh and a COH of $0.505/kg, significantly lower than that of the off-grid system. Insights for policymakers and stakeholders are provided in this study, emphasizing the economic potential of grid-connected hybrid systems in high-irradiance regions for scaling hydrogen production in Saudi Arabia. The comprehensive sensitivity analyses conducted on various system parameters provide insights into system resilience and adaptability under varying conditions.