Renewable energy for healthcare: Modeling medical oxygen production through PV-powered PEM electrolysis. A case study in Guayaquil, Ecuador

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed critical vulnerabilities in medical oxygen supply chains, particularly in developing countries like Ecuador. In response, this study develops a mathematical model for direct photovoltaic-electrolyzer coupling, aimed at providing on-site medical oxygen production. The system integrates monocrystalline silicon photovoltaic panels with a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer, enabling efficient and high-purity oxygen generation. Unlike previous studies, this model not only predicts the number of photovoltaic arrays required to meet oxygen demand but also establishes a detailed electrolyzer stack design approach based on total electrode area. Using real meteorological data from Guayaquil, Ecuador, the model identifies optimal configurations through economic analysis, ensuring feasibility and cost-effectiveness. The optimal system configuration consists of 4778 PV modules and a total electrode area of 68.8 m 2 , capable of producing 438.5 ton/year of medical-grade oxygen to meet the demands of the Teodoro Maldonado Carbo Hospital (Guayaquil, Ecuador). This model is designed with simplicity and adaptability in mind, allowing for easy implementation and scaling in similar healthcare settings. The proposed system offers a sustainable and reliable alternative to conventional oxygen supply chains, leveraging renewable energy to enhance healthcare resilience in resource-limited regions. • Novel PV-PEM model tailored for medical O 2 supply in low-resource regions • Innovative stack sizing links electrode area directly to oxygen demand • Real-time solar data drives techno-economic optimization in Guayaquil • System delivers 438.5 ton/year of high purity O 2 for critical care use • Scalable green oxygen solution boosts hospital resilience post-COVID