IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/energy/v333y2025ics0360544225030610.html

Mixed integer linear programming-based optimal capacity configuration of ALK/PEM mixed water electrolysis system

Author

Listed:
  • Lin, Liangguang
  • Li, Xiaoyi
  • Ou, Kai
  • Xing, Jianwu
  • Wang, Ya-Xiong

Abstract

The integration of renewable energy sources in hydrogen production through water electrolysis is pivotal for advancing decarbonization in the energy and chemical industries. However, inappropriate sizing often leads to poor techno-economics of hydrogen production and low rates of renewable energy consumption. This paper proposes a mixed water electrolysis system utilizing both alkaline electrolyzers (ALK) and proton exchange membrane electrolyzers (PEM), coupled with battery storage, to optimize techno-economic performance. A non-convex mixed integer quadratic constraint programming (MIQCP) model is developed to minimize the levelized cost of hydrogen (LCOH) while addressing the complexities of system configuration and scheduling. The model is transformed into a mixed integer linear programming (MILP) problem using segmented linearization and the Big-M method. A K-means clustering algorithm is also used to determine the typical day for resolving the variable explosion problem induced by the sign constraints. A case based on a hydrogen production park proves the effectiveness of the proposed system. Results show that the system achieves an optimal ALK/PEM ratio of 112.5:29, yielding an LCOH of 20.69 ¥/kg, which is 5.78 % and 10.66 % lower than the ALK-only and PEM-only systems, respectively. The internal rate of return for the mixed system is 5.02 %, and power consumption is 56.92 kWh/kg. Sensitivity analyses highlight the impact of PEM electrolyzer cost reductions on system efficiency, underscoring the economic potential of hybrid electrolyzer configurations. The study aims at providing insights into the optimization of renewable energy-driven hydrogen production systems, facilitating better integration and cost-efficiency in green hydrogen projects.

Suggested Citation

  • Lin, Liangguang & Li, Xiaoyi & Ou, Kai & Xing, Jianwu & Wang, Ya-Xiong, 2025. "Mixed integer linear programming-based optimal capacity configuration of ALK/PEM mixed water electrolysis system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 333(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:333:y:2025:i:c:s0360544225030610
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2025.137419
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360544225030610
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.energy.2025.137419?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to

    for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Tezer, Tuba & Yaman, Ramazan & Yaman, Gülşen, 2017. "Evaluation of approaches used for optimization of stand-alone hybrid renewable energy systems," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 840-853.
    2. Gabrielli, Paolo & Gazzani, Matteo & Martelli, Emanuele & Mazzotti, Marco, 2018. "Optimal design of multi-energy systems with seasonal storage," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 219(C), pages 408-424.
    3. Ibáñez-Rioja, Alejandro & Puranen, Pietari & Järvinen, Lauri & Kosonen, Antti & Ruuskanen, Vesa & Ahola, Jero & Koponen, Joonas, 2022. "Simulation methodology for an off-grid solar–battery–water electrolyzer plant: Simultaneous optimization of component capacities and system control," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 307(C).
    4. Zhang, Qinjin & Xie, Di & Zeng, Yuji & Liu, Yancheng & Yu, Heyang & Liu, Siyuan, 2024. "Optimizing wind-solar hydrogen production through collaborative strategy with ALK/PEM multi-electrolyzer arrays," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 232(C).
    5. Wang, Jing & Kang, Lixia & Liu, Yongzhong, 2024. "Optimal design of a renewable hydrogen production system by coordinating multiple PV arrays and multiple electrolyzers," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 225(C).
    6. Moretti, Luca & Astolfi, Marco & Vergara, Claudio & Macchi, Ennio & Pérez-Arriaga, Josè Ignacio & Manzolini, Giampaolo, 2019. "A design and dispatch optimization algorithm based on mixed integer linear programming for rural electrification," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 233, pages 1104-1121.
    7. Zhang, Yi & Sun, Hexu & Tan, Jianxin & Li, Zheng & Hou, Weimin & Guo, Yingjun, 2022. "Capacity configuration optimization of multi-energy system integrating wind turbine/photovoltaic/hydrogen/battery," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 252(C).
    8. Zhang, Weiping & Maleki, Akbar & Rosen, Marc A. & Liu, Jingqing, 2018. "Optimization with a simulated annealing algorithm of a hybrid system for renewable energy including battery and hydrogen storage," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 163(C), pages 191-207.
    9. Squadrito, G. & Nicita, A. & Maggio, G., 2021. "A size-dependent financial evaluation of green hydrogen-oxygen co-production," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 163(C), pages 2165-2177.
    10. Gioutsos, Dean Marcus & Blok, Kornelis & van Velzen, Leonore & Moorman, Sjoerd, 2018. "Cost-optimal electricity systems with increasing renewable energy penetration for islands across the globe," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 226(C), pages 437-449.
    11. Hannan, M.A. & Faisal, M. & Jern Ker, Pin & Begum, R.A. & Dong, Z.Y. & Zhang, C., 2020. "Review of optimal methods and algorithms for sizing energy storage systems to achieve decarbonization in microgrid applications," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 131(C).
    12. Xu, Guanxin & Wu, Yan & Tang, Shuo & Wang, Yufei & Yu, Xinhai & Ma, Mingyan, 2024. "Optimal design of hydrogen production processing coupling alkaline and proton exchange membrane electrolyzers," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 302(C).
    13. Zhang, Yindi & Takyi, Shadrack Adjei & Xin, Yue & Sheng, ZhengQin & Si, Mengting & Tontiwachwuthikuld, Paitoon, 2025. "A novel economy analysis for advancing CO2 capture efficiency of post combustion using sequential quadratic programming (SQP) optimization methodology," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 315(C).
    14. Sinha, Sunanda & Chandel, S.S., 2014. "Review of software tools for hybrid renewable energy systems," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 32(C), pages 192-205.
    15. Li, Ling-Ling & Zhang, Zi-Yu & Sethanan, Kanchana & Tseng, Ming-Lang, 2024. "Multi-energy synergistic planning of distributed energy supply system: Wind-solar-hydrogen coupling energy supply," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 237(PC).
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Shin, Haeseong & Jang, Dohyung & Shin, Hee-Sun & Park, Sungtae & Kang, Sanggyu, 2026. "High-resolution dynamic modeling and techno-economic optimization of off-grid PV–electrolysis–BESS systems for green hydrogen production," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 409(C).
    2. Zhang, Yichi & Wang, Xiongzheng & Nie, Gongzhe & He, Chengyao & Yang, Yunfan & He, Mingzhi & Meng, Xin, 2026. "Robust dispatch of multi-electrolyzer systems for renewable energy hydrogen production under wind forecast uncertainty," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 409(C).
    3. Marocco, Paolo & Gandiglio, Marta & Santarelli, Massimo, 2026. "Optimising green hydrogen production across Europe: How renewable energy sources shape plant design and costs," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 256(PH).

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Lu, Tianguang & Yi, Xinning & Li, Jing & Wu, Shaocong, 2025. "Collaborative planning of integrated hydrogen energy chain multi-energy systems: A review," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 393(C).
    2. Yang, Wenlong & Li, Yihang & Hu, Hongming & Huang, Yunhui & Zhu, Wenchao & Yang, Yang & Xie, Changjun & You, Li & Xiong, Liangli, 2025. "A decentralized dynamic power sharing strategy for renewable hybrid hydrogen electrolyzer systems without communication networks," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 336(C).
    3. Wang, Kang & Yuan, Tiejiang & Teng, Yue, 2026. "Operation optimization and configuration of a novel wide-power hybrid electrolytic water-to‑hydrogen system in response to fluctuations in renewable energy sources," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 406(C).
    4. Fatou Gómez, Javier & Martín-Gil, Alejandro & Dussi, Simone, 2025. "PyDOLPHYN: Dynamic simulations and optimization of multi-energy assets," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 317(C).
    5. Zhang, Qinjin & Xie, Di & Zeng, Yuji & Liu, Yancheng & Yu, Heyang & Liu, Siyuan, 2024. "Optimizing wind-solar hydrogen production through collaborative strategy with ALK/PEM multi-electrolyzer arrays," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 232(C).
    6. Vargas-Ferrer, Pedro & Sauma, Enzo & Jalil-Vega, Francisca, 2026. "Incorporating intra-hour renewable variability into the design of stand-alone electrolytic hydrogen production systems," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 404(C).
    7. Silinto, Berino Francisco & van der Laag Yamu, Claudia & Zuidema, Christian & Faaij, André P.C., 2025. "Hybrid renewable energy systems for rural electrification in developing countries: A review on energy system models and spatial explicit modelling tools," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 207(C).
    8. Akhlaque Ahmad Khan & Ahmad Faiz Minai & Rupendra Kumar Pachauri & Hasmat Malik, 2022. "Optimal Sizing, Control, and Management Strategies for Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems: A Comprehensive Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(17), pages 1-29, August.
    9. García-Villoria, Alberto & Domenech, Bruno & Ferrer-Martí, Laia & Juanpera, Marc & Pastor, Rafael, 2020. "Ad-hoc heuristic for design of wind-photovoltaic electrification systems, including management constraints," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 212(C).
    10. Pablo Benalcazar & Adam Suski & Jacek Kamiński, 2020. "Optimal Sizing and Scheduling of Hybrid Energy Systems: The Cases of Morona Santiago and the Galapagos Islands," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(15), pages 1-20, August.
    11. Thirunavukkarasu, M. & Sawle, Yashwant & Lala, Himadri, 2023. "A comprehensive review on optimization of hybrid renewable energy systems using various optimization techniques," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 176(C).
    12. Saxena, Vivek & Kumar, Narendra & Manna, Saibal & Rajput, Saurabh Kumar & Agarwal, Kusum Lata & Diwania, Sourav & Gupta, Varun, 2025. "Modelling, solution and application of optimization techniques in HRES: From conventional to artificial intelligence," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 380(C).
    13. Fahd A. Alturki & Emad Mahrous Awwad, 2021. "Sizing and Cost Minimization of Standalone Hybrid WT/PV/Biomass/Pump-Hydro Storage-Based Energy Systems," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(2), pages 1-20, January.
    14. Myada Shadoul & Rashid Al Abri & Hassan Yousef & Abdullah Al Shereiqi, 2024. "Designing a Dispatch Engine for Hybrid Renewable Power Stations Using a Mixed-Integer Linear Programming Technique," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(13), pages 1-27, July.
    15. Galleguillos-Pozo, R. & Domenech, B. & Ferrer-Martí, L. & Pastor, R., 2021. "Design of stand-alone electrification systems using fuzzy mathematical programming approaches," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 228(C).
    16. He, Yi & Guo, Su & Zhou, Jianxu & Ye, Jilei & Huang, Jing & Zheng, Kun & Du, Xinru, 2022. "Multi-objective planning-operation co-optimization of renewable energy system with hybrid energy storages," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 184(C), pages 776-790.
    17. Mayer, Martin János & Szilágyi, Artúr & Gróf, Gyula, 2020. "Environmental and economic multi-objective optimization of a household level hybrid renewable energy system by genetic algorithm," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 269(C).
    18. Calabrese, Mattia & Ademollo, Andrea & Carcasci, Carlo, 2026. "Designing off-grid hybrid renewable energy systems under uncertainty: A two-stage stochastic programming approach," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 256(PE).
    19. Vandenberghe, Roxanne & Humbert, Gabriele & Cai, Hanmin & Koirala, Binod Prasad & Sansavini, Giovanni & Heer, Philipp, 2025. "Optimal sizing and operation of hydrogen generation sites accounting for waste heat recovery," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 380(C).
    20. Ayop, Razman & Isa, Normazlina Mat & Tan, Chee Wei, 2018. "Components sizing of photovoltaic stand-alone system based on loss of power supply probability," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 81(P2), pages 2731-2743.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:333:y:2025:i:c:s0360544225030610. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/energy .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.