Assessment of green hydrogen production potential of a photovoltaic-driven PEM electrolyzer for sustainable energy system

Green hydrogen (H2), produced via solar-powered water electrolysis, offers renewable energy storage, supports grid balancing, and enhances energy security through photovoltaic (PV) systems driving sustainable hydrogen generation. This research simulates an H2 generation system with a Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) electrolyser driven by a PV panel based on actual regional weather data from Abu Dhabi to offer a comprehensive analysis and accurate prediction of the power and H2 generation potential of the system. The predictive capability of the Altruistic Whale Optimization Algorithm-Elastic Net model helps enhance the understanding of how different parameters influence the system’s performance and, hence, the overall advancement of green hydrogen generation and the general use of renewable energy technologies. The sensitivity analysis referred to the high effect of solar radiation on both PV power and hydrogen generation, in which increased solar radiation led to higher power output from the PV panels and enhanced the hydrogen generation rates. The monthly variation of PV power and hydrogen generation indicated that their peak levels of approximately 1.000E + 5 W and 544.0 kg occurred between 11 AM and 2 PM during the warmer months, while their lowest levels of around 2.000E + 4 W and 108.8 kg were recorded during the colder months.