Techno-economic-environmental evaluation of a solar-hydrogen-battery hybrid system: a real-time case study

The global shift toward net-zero carbon emissions requires flexible, multi-source energy systems capable of overcoming disruptions in renewable energy sources. This study presents a comprehensive technical, economic and environmental assessment of a hybrid energy system designed for the Faculty of Technology and Education at Sohag University, Egypt. The research evaluates three operational scenarios, involving the integration of the utility grid (UG), photovoltaic (PV) cells, a battery energy storage system (BESS), and a green hydrogen production subsystem consisting of an electrolyzer, hydrogen storage (H₂), and fuel cells (FC). Scenario 1 (PV/BESS/UG) serves as the baseline configuration, achieving a renewable fraction of 74.7% but maintaining significant dependence on the electrical grid. Scenario 2 (PV/FC/H2/UG) demonstrated the economic infeasibility of a hydrogen subsystem configured to operate on a daily charge-discharge cycle rather than functioning as a long-duration or seasonal storage system; the optimization results favored grid electricity over fuel cell dispatch. Scenario 3 (PV/FC/BESS/H₂/UG) emerges as the most effective configuration. Despite exhibiting a higher net present cost (NPC: 823,477 USD) and a levelized cost of energy (LCOE: 0.0832 USD/kWh), it achieved a renewable fraction of 75.7% and ensured nearly 100% supply reliability with negligible unmet electrical load. The results indicate that the integration of BESS for short-term response and H₂ for long-term energy reserve provides a strategic energy buffer capable of mitigating the effects of solar PV power outages and grid instability.