Techno-Economic Assessment of a Hydrogen-Assisted Hybrid Renewable Microgrid with Fuel Cells for Off-Grid...

Rural electrification in coastal Bangladesh faces challenges from geographic isolation, weak grid access, and growing energy demand. This study designs and evaluates an off-grid hybrid renewable microgrid for Char Ishwar, Noakhali, using HOMER Pro (version 3.14.2). The proposed system integrates solar photovoltaic (PV), wind turbine (WT), battery energy storage system (BESS), electrolyzer, hydrogen (H₂) storage tank, and fuel cell (FC) to enhance reliability and mitigate renewable intermittency. Three configurations were analyzed: Case A (PV-WT-BESS-Converter-Electrolyzer-FC-H₂ Tank), Case B (WT-based), and Case C (PV-based), supplying electricity to 180 rural households. Case A emerged as the optimal solution, achieving a cost of energy (COE) of $0.139/kWh, a net present cost (NPC) of $1.28 million, and a capital cost of $594,206. The system achieved near-zero net CO₂ emissions of -3.79 kg/year, a value arising from HOMER Pro's baseline emission offset accounting, wherein avoided emissions from near-100% renewable generation are credited against the assumed grid emission factor, rather than implying physical carbon sequestration, highlighting the substantial environmental benefits of green hydrogen integration. Comprehensive sensitivity analysis shows wind speed and load demand strongly influence system economics, validating configuration robustness and enabling sustainable, reliable, cost-effective electrification for coastal Bangladesh.