Table of Contents

ABSTRACT

Hydrogen is seen as a promising element in the energy future, with great optimism in the environmental and energy challenges to achieve a sustainable, low-carbon economy. This research investigates the techno-economic assessment of producing hydrogen through alkaline electrolysis, utilising electricity produced from the integration of the power cycle (ORC) with renewable sources, such as geothermal, solar (PTC), and biomass as a backup system to solar heat, implemented in the Hammam Debagh-Guelma region of northeastern Algeria. The site and PTC functionalities were assessed using the SAM software. A computer code was developed to model the PTC equations, the electrolysis system, and the economic evaluation. Using EES software, ORC, geothermal system and biomass boiler were analysed. The SAM simulation indicated that Guelma is an appropriate site for such stations by 0.5 to 1.5 (MW) net generation. In addition, the code found an electrical output surpassing hourly 80 (kW) and monthly 20 (kW) in the primary system in the summer, while 90 (kW) in the backup system, with a stable energy efficiency of 24.16(%). Summertime exergy efficiency was 52 (%), whereas the alternative was 35.01(%). Hydrogen production was restricted by hourly 0-16 (Nm3/h) and monthly 0.25 to 4 (Nm3/h) in the solar plant and approximately 18 (Nm3/h) in the biomass system. Economically, the capacity factor (CF) achieved 57% while the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) was estimated at 0.15 ($/kWh).

Keywords: geothermal, solar, biomass, organic rankine cycle, alkaline electrolysis, techno-economic analysis.