This study presents the potential feasibility of deploying hybrid microgrids for off-grid water supply in rural and agro-processing applications in Nigeria. Nine microgrid configurations which combine photovoltaic (PV) panels, wind turbines (WT), fuel cells (FC), electrolyzers (EL), hydrogen (H 2) storage, battery storage (BAT), diesel generators (GEN), and power converters (CONV) were techno-economically examined. Among these configurations, the PV/EL/FC/H 2 system (S2) emerged as a promising option for combined electricity and hydrogen production, generating approximately 1. 19 GWh of electricity yearly, with annual unmet load of 75 kWh and capacity shortages of 152–192 kWh/year. Also, the system simultaneously generates 5517 kg of hydrogen annually at a Levelized Cost of Hydrogen (LCOH) of 6. 33 /kg, achieves a Cost of energy (COE) of 0. 180 /kWh with 100% renewable fraction, and maintains a Net Present Cost (NPC) of 451, 731. This configuration demonstrates technical feasibility, economic competitiveness, and environmental sustainability. These results show the potential for utilizing hydrogen-based microgrids in off-grid applications, and support policy formulation, green financing, and large-scale rural energy deployment in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Okubanjo et al. (2026) studied this question.