Techno-economic optimization of PV–BESS–H<sub>2</sub> residential systems for green hydrogen production

Saleh Albadran; Ismail Marouani; Saleh Albadran; Ismail Marouani

doi:10.3934/energy.2026028

AIMS Energy

2026, Volume 14, Issue 3: 681-709. doi: 10.3934/energy.2026028

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Research article

Techno-economic optimization of PV–BESS–H₂ residential systems for green hydrogen production

Saleh Albadran ,
Ismail Marouani ^,

Department of Electronic Engineering, Applied College, University of Hail, Saudi Arabia

Received: 19 February 2026 Revised: 29 April 2026 Accepted: 28 May 2026 Published: 05 June 2026

This study presents a Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) framework for the techno-economic design of photovoltaic–battery energy storage system–hydrogen (PV–BESS–H₂) residential systems targeting green hydrogen production. The methodology integrates National Renewable Energy Laboratory Annual Technology Baseline (NREL ATB) Advanced 2035 cost projections with time-varying electricity tariffs to optimize PV capacity, battery energy storage system (BESS) sizing, electrolyzer power, and hydrogen storage volume. The optimal configuration achieved a levelized cost of hydrogen (LCOH) of 4.09 USD/kg through strategic energy management, combining self-consumption maximization, price arbitrage via BESS charge/discharge cycles, and electrolyzer load balancing. The PV–BESS–H₂ system demonstrated superior performance with high self-consumption rates and efficient PV-to-H₂ conversion pathways, validated through comprehensive Sankey energy flow analysis and sensitivity studies on key techno-economic parameters. Results highlight the critical role of BESS in enabling competitive green hydrogen production at the residential scale under future cost scenarios.
- PV–BESS–H₂,
- green hydrogen,
- LCOH,
- Particle Swarm Optimization,
- techno-economic analysis,
- battery energy storage system,
- residential energy systems,
- NREL ATB
Citation: Saleh Albadran, Ismail Marouani. Techno-economic optimization of PV–BESS–H₂ residential systems for green hydrogen production[J]. AIMS Energy, 2026, 14(3): 681-709. doi: 10.3934/energy.2026028

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Abstract

This study presents a Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) framework for the techno-economic design of photovoltaic–battery energy storage system–hydrogen (PV–BESS–H₂) residential systems targeting green hydrogen production. The methodology integrates National Renewable Energy Laboratory Annual Technology Baseline (NREL ATB) Advanced 2035 cost projections with time-varying electricity tariffs to optimize PV capacity, battery energy storage system (BESS) sizing, electrolyzer power, and hydrogen storage volume. The optimal configuration achieved a levelized cost of hydrogen (LCOH) of 4.09 USD/kg through strategic energy management, combining self-consumption maximization, price arbitrage via BESS charge/discharge cycles, and electrolyzer load balancing. The PV–BESS–H₂ system demonstrated superior performance with high self-consumption rates and efficient PV-to-H₂ conversion pathways, validated through comprehensive Sankey energy flow analysis and sensitivity studies on key techno-economic parameters. Results highlight the critical role of BESS in enabling competitive green hydrogen production at the residential scale under future cost scenarios.

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