Investigation of a Solar-Driven Multigeneration System for Electricity Generation, Heating, Refrigeration, and Hydrogen Production in a Novel Configuration

Abstract This study explores the use of solar energy to drive a novel multigeneration system that includes power, heating, cooling, and hydrogen production. The proposed system undergoes a thorough evaluation from three essential perspectives: energy, exergy, and economics. Unlike previous studies, in the proposed system, ammonia-LiNO3 operated absorption refrigeration cycle is integrated with the steam Rankine cycle (SRC), organic Rankine cycle (ORC), and proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzer. The influence of climatic conditions, solar flux, and ambient temperature is examined on the exergy efficiency of subsystems and the overall system. The system yields a net power generation of 640 kW, a cooling production rate of 425 kW, heating output of 4190 kW, and a hydrogen production rate of 160 kg/h. These outcomes of subsystems are associated with a cost rate of 6.20 $/h and a payback period of 6.02 years at the baseline operation. The proposed multigeneration system achieved energy and exergy efficiencies of 23.31% and 6.25%. The solar flux has a positive effect on electricity generation and the rate of hydrogen production. The exergy efficiency of subsystems producing hydrogen, cooling, heating, and electricity generation is obtained as 66.25%, 34.5%, 29.3%, and 69%, respectively, at an ambient temperature of 25 °C. The exergy efficiency of the overall system increases approximately by 65% with an increase in ambient temperature from 5 to 40 °C. Exergy analysis determined the tower solar collector responsible for the highest destruction of solar exergy (47.34%), although the main energy loss occurs in the multigeneration system. The proposed system appears to be superior to conventional solar-based multicarrier energy systems from an exergy perspective.