Magee, Scott (2024) Techno-Economic Analysis and Optimisation of Hydrogen Production from Photovoltaics and Electrolysis with Battery Storage: A HOMER Pro Approach. [USQ Project]
Abstract
The transition to a renewable energy landscape necessitates robust techno-economic analysis tools for evaluating the feasibility of emerging technologies. This research focuses on the critical examination and replication of the methodology employed by Hinkley et al. (2016) in assessing the economic viability of hydrogen production from photovoltaic (PV) systems coupled with electrolysis, utilizing the capabilities of HOMER Pro software.
The study aims to enhance the standardization and facilitate the evaluation of the advantages and disadvantages of various techno-economic assessment tools in the context of renewable energy system design, thereby promoting informed decision-making in the field. The research objectives include replicating the economic metrics used in a reference study (Hinkley et al, 2016) within the HOMER Pro environment, specifically focusing on PV and electrolysis systems.
The study also provides insights into the methodological strengths and limitations of HOMER Pro for techno-economic analysis, particularly in scenarios involving battery storage and hydrogen load optimisation. The research provides practical guidelines for integrating battery storage into renewable energy systems, supported by standardised economic metrics, aiding in informed decision-making for future sustainable energy projects.
The study successfully replicated the key economic metric (LCOH) reported in the Hinkley et al. (2016) paper, demonstrating the efficacy of HOMER Pro in techno-economic assessments. The research also highlighted the strengths and limitations of HOMER Pro, particularly in handling battery storage and hydrogen load optimisation, and suggested potential improvements. The findings contribute to the advancement of techno-economic analysis methodologies and provide valuable insights for the design and implementation of sustainable energy systems, particularly those involving hydrogen production from PV and electrolysis, with or without battery storage.
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Statistics for this ePrint Item |
| Item Type: | USQ Project |
|---|---|
| Item Status: | Live Archive |
| Faculty/School / Institute/Centre: | Current – Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences - School of Engineering (1 Jan 2022 -) |
| Supervisors: | Yousif, Belal |
| Qualification: | Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) |
| Date Deposited: | 16 Mar 2026 22:20 |
| Last Modified: | 16 Mar 2026 22:20 |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | renewable energy; emerging technologies; hydrogen production |
| URI: | https://sear.unisq.edu.au/id/eprint/53140 |
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