A solar PV-electrolyser-fuel cell system is proposed as a standalone power supply system at a case study site in Niamey, Niger. The load profile for the reference site is generated, and based on that, the sizing of the major system components, i.e PV system, electrolyser, and fuel cell, has been done. The system is analysed for its operational performance to ensure the reliable supply of required electricity demand throughout the year. Additionally, another system with solar PV and battery is considered solely for comparison. The technical and economic parameters are assessed and compared. The calculated levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) for solar PV-electrolyser-fuel cell system is 0.12 €/kWh and for its counterpart it is 0.17 €/kWh. Two cases are considered to calculate the levelized cost of hydrogen (LCOH). Calculated LCOH values for the proposed system and the other system (electricity purchase case) are 8.21 €/kg and 4.78 €/kg, respectively. The levelized cost of storage only (LCOS) analysis revealed that the values for hydrogen option at 0.35 €/kWh and for battery option at 0.71 €/kWh. Based on these findings, the proposed system proves to be feasible for onsite installation. This indeed opens an alternative system configuration for rural electrification in a long run in Sub-Saharan Africa.
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Ramchandra Bhandari (2024) studied this question.
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