Design of a hybrid renewable energy system and green hydrogen production for smart cities: A carbon emission reduction approach

The rapid growth of population and industrial development worldwide has significantly increased energy demand. With the limitations and environmental impacts of conventional energy resources, renewable energy sources are essential for sustainable development. This study presents a renewable hybrid energy system designed to meet a city's electricity needs while generating green hydrogen for hydrogen-powered vehicles, a rising trend in transportation. The goal is to create a self-sufficient and environmentally friendly smart city. The proposed system integrates photovoltaic panels, wind turbines and a biomass generator, supported by lithium-ion batteries for energy storage and green hydrogen generation. Optimized through numerical analysis of experimental load data, the system is designed to handle an average annual electrical load of 14,946,686.40 kWh and produce 58.5 kg of hydrogen daily. A total of 14,550 simulations were conducted, yielding a levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) of $0.3959/kWh. The system is projected to reduce 9,398 tons of CO2 emissions annually. Additionally, the use of 150 hydrogen-powered vehicles in the smart city is estimated to prevent further emissions of 325,215 tons/year, 295,650 tons/year, and 204,491 tons/year under different scenarios. This research highlights the transformative potential of hybrid renewable energy systems and hydrogen-powered vehicles for urban sustainability. By substantially reducing carbon emissions, it supports the development of greener, smarter cities and opens avenues for future innovations in renewable energy integration and sustainable urban planning.