Annual performance analysis and optimization of a novel wind-solar hybrid hydrogen production system

As hydrogen emerges as a key zero-carbon energy carrier in the global transition to clean energy, conventional fossil-based production methods face sustainability challenges, while standalone renewable systems are hindered by intermittency and low efficiency. This study proposes a novel hybrid wind-solar hydrogen production system that integrates concentrated photovoltaic-thermal (CPVT) technology. Through thermodynamic modeling, annual simulations, and techno-economic analysis, the study evaluates regional performance variations driven by differences in renewable resource availability. Zhangbei, with superior wind resources, achieves higher annual hydrogen production (511.32 tons), but lower energy efficiency (11.91 %) due to significant energy curtailment (11,119 MWh). Dunhuang, leveraging abundant solar energy, attains higher efficiencies but produces less hydrogen (344.82 tons). Seasonal analysis reveals complementary solar-wind patterns, with solar peaking in summer and wind in spring. A GA-PSO optimization framework is applied to reduce the levelized cost of hydrogen in Zhangbei and Dunhuang to 3.48 USD/kg and 3.23 USD/kg, respectively. The optimal configurations favor wind-dominant systems (1885 CPVT units, 2 turbines) in Zhangbei and solar-centric systems (2162 CPVT units, 1 turbine) in Dunhuang. This work provides a replicable framework for region-specific hydrogen production, emphasizing resource-adaptive designs that optimize both output and cost-effectiveness across diverse climates.