Renewable Hydrogen Integration in a PV–Biomass Gasification–Battery Microgrid for a Remote, Off-Grid System

Remote off-grid microgrids are often locked into diesel-backed operation because renewable variability creates multi-day and seasonal energy gaps that short-duration batteries cannot economically bridge. This work examines how renewable hydrogen can complement batteries and dispatchable biomass to push an existing hybrid microgrid toward near-autonomous, low-carbon operation, while remaining robust under future electrification demands. The analysis is based on real operational load insights from a remote off-grid system, combined with techno-economic optimization in HOMER Pro. The examined architecture includes PV panels, battery energy storage, a biomass CHP unit, and a diesel generator as backup; the hydrogen pathway additionally incorporates an electrolysis, storage and a PEMFC. Three scenarios are considered: a baseline PV/BAT configuration, an intermediate PV/BAT/BIO configuration that strengthens dispatchable renewable supply and short-term flexibility, and a PV/BAT/BIO/H2 configuration targeting an increase in renewable energy penetration (REP). Results show that hydrogen integration shifts the system from curtailment-limited, diesel-supported operation to storage-enabled operation: surplus renewable production that would otherwise be curtailed is converted into hydrogen and later dispatched during prolonged deficits, enabling deep diesel displacement without compromising reliability. Hydrogen-enabled configurations achieve 90–99% REP, reduced diesel consumption, and lower CO2 emissions, primarily by converting curtailed surplus into storable hydrogen. A rule-based EMS highlights technology complementarity across timescales, with batteries providing diurnal balancing and hydrogen covering longer deficits, which also reduces battery cycling stress. Overall, the study clarifies key design trade-offs, especially the need for coordinated PV expansion and storage sizing, and illustrates how a multi-storage portfolio can support high renewable penetration in such systems.