IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/energy/v347y2026ics0360544226004111.html

From ocean motion to green fuel: Integration of hybrid wave-tidal energy and offshore hydrogen production

Author

Listed:
  • Chen, Peihao
  • Zhang, Yan
  • Harati, Saeed
  • Walker, Sara
  • Dearn, Karl

Abstract

Wave and tidal energy are promising renewable resources for offshore electricity generation, with hydrogen serving as a storable and transportable energy carrier. This study presents an integrated offshore hydrogen production system combining full-scale hybrid wave-tidal energy converters (HWTEC), hybrid supercapacitor-battery energy storage system, proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzers, and subsea underground hydrogen storage (UHS). A system-level co-simulation framework is developed to capture the coupled dynamics of energy conversion, storage, and hydrogen production under stochastic marine conditions. UHS significantly reduces platform space requirements for hydrogen storage, enabling higher on-platform hydrogen capacity. A case study using 2024 UK wave and tidal data evaluates a conceptual platform with six HWTECs and PEM electrolyzers with combined average output of 64.8 kW. Results indicate a representative hydrogen production rate of 1.4 kg/h and an estimated annual yield of 12.4 t, with specific energy consumption of 46.8–55.7 kWh/kgH2 and exergy efficiency of 21.4–25.3%. The system demonstrates enhanced power continuity, efficient conversion of intermittent offshore energy, and feasibility for grid-independent operation. The proposed framework advances beyond previous device-level studies by integrating multiple subsystems with real marine inputs, providing a scalable and practical tool for design, optimization, and performance assessment of offshore hybrid renewable hydrogen platforms.

Suggested Citation

  • Chen, Peihao & Zhang, Yan & Harati, Saeed & Walker, Sara & Dearn, Karl, 2026. "From ocean motion to green fuel: Integration of hybrid wave-tidal energy and offshore hydrogen production," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 347(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:347:y:2026:i:c:s0360544226004111
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2026.140308
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360544226004111
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.energy.2026.140308?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. Gursoy, Mehmet & Dincer, Ibrahim, 2024. "Development of a solar-ocean based integrated plant with a new hydrogen generation system," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 235(C).
    2. Yu, Binbin & Fan, Guangyao & Sun, Kai & Chen, Jing & Sun, Bo & Tian, Peigen, 2024. "Adaptive energy optimization strategy of island renewable power-to-hydrogen system with hybrid electrolyzers structure," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 301(C).
    3. Chen, Peihao & Wu, Dawei & Yang, Yiqing & Zhang, Yan & Tsolakis, Athanasios & Dearn, Karl, 2025. "Development, dynamic analysis, and experimental evaluation of a hybrid wave-tidal energy converter featuring nonlinear dual inputs," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 338(C).
    4. Ozturk, Merve & Dincer, Ibrahim, 2022. "System development and assessment for green hydrogen generation and blending with natural gas," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 261(PB).
    5. Yin, Xiuxing & Zhao, Xiaowei & Zhang, Wencan, 2018. "A novel hydro-kite like energy converter for harnessing both ocean wave and current energy," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 158(C), pages 1204-1212.
    6. Hu, Huakun & Xue, Wendong & Jiang, Peng & Li, Yong, 2022. "Bibliometric analysis for ocean renewable energy: An comprehensive review for hotspots, frontiers, and emerging trends," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 167(C).
    7. Yang, Yiqing & Chen, Peihao & Liu, Qiang, 2021. "A wave energy harvester based on coaxial mechanical motion rectifier and variable inertia flywheel," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 302(C).
    8. Meharban, Faiza & Tang, Xiangmin & Yang, Shuang & Wu, Xiaotong & Lin, Chao & Tan, Lei & Hu, Weibo & Zhou, Dequan & Li, Jianming & Li, Xiaopeng, 2025. "Harnessing direct seawater electrolysis for a sustainable offshore Hydrogen future: A critical review and perspective," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 384(C).
    9. Gao, Hong & Yu, Yang, 2018. "The dynamics and power absorption of cone-cylinder wave energy converters with three degree of freedom in irregular waves," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 143(C), pages 833-845.
    10. Zhongyi Li & Hao Wang, 2016. "Ocean Wave Simulation Based on Wind Field," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(1), pages 1-15, January.
    11. Akdağ, Ozan, 2025. "A new framework to green hydrogen production from ocean/sea renewable energy sources: A case study of the Türkiye," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 396(C).
    12. Zimasa Macingwane & Alessandro Schönborn, 2024. "Techno-Economic Analysis of Green Hydrogen Production as Maritime Fuel from Wave Energy," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-20, September.
    13. Silva, R.N. & Nunes, M.M. & Oliveira, F.L. & Oliveira, T.F. & Brasil, A.C.P. & Pinto, M.S.S., 2023. "Dynamical analysis of a novel hybrid oceanic tidal-wave energy converter system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 263(PD).
    14. Taroual, K. & Nachtane, M. & Adeli, K. & Boulzehar, A. & Saifaoui, D. & Faik, A., 2026. "Marine renewable energy for hydrogen production: Advancing towards a sustainable future through technological, economic, and environmental frontiers– a review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 226(PB).
    15. Burin Yodwong & Damien Guilbert & Matheepot Phattanasak & Wattana Kaewmanee & Melika Hinaje & Gianpaolo Vitale, 2020. "Faraday’s Efficiency Modeling of a Proton Exchange Membrane Electrolyzer Based on Experimental Data," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(18), pages 1-14, September.
    16. Chen, Peihao & Wu, Dawei & Yang, Yiqing & Tsolakis, Athanasios, 2025. "Discretization modeling with pseudo real-time waves input of the hybrid wave-tidal energy converter based on non-linear motions rectification and coupling device," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 323(C).
    17. Xu, Tongtong & Haas, Kevin A. & Gunawan, Budi, 2023. "Estimating annual energy production from short tidal current records," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 207(C), pages 105-115.
    18. Calheiros-Cabral, Tomás & Clemente, Daniel & Rosa-Santos, Paulo & Taveira-Pinto, Francisco & Ramos, Victor & Morais, Tiago & Cestaro, Henrique, 2020. "Evaluation of the annual electricity production of a hybrid breakwater-integrated wave energy converter," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 213(C).
    19. repec:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:24:p:6490-:d:1815666 is not listed on IDEAS
    20. Chen, Shuo & Jiang, Boxi & Li, Xiaofan & Huang, Jianuo & Wu, Xian & Xiong, Qiuchi & Parker, Robert G. & Zuo, Lei, 2022. "Design, dynamic modeling and wave basin verification of a Hybrid Wave–Current Energy Converter," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 321(C).
    21. Liu, Jicheng & Ma, Xuying & Lu, Chaoran, 2024. "A three-stage framework for optimal site selection of hybrid offshore wind-photovoltaic-wave-hydrogen energy system: A case study of China," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 313(C).
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    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. Chen, Peihao & Wu, Dawei & Yang, Yiqing & Zhang, Yan & Tsolakis, Athanasios & Dearn, Karl, 2025. "Development, dynamic analysis, and experimental evaluation of a hybrid wave-tidal energy converter featuring nonlinear dual inputs," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 338(C).
    2. Chen, Peihao & Wu, Dawei & Yang, Yiqing & Tsolakis, Athanasios, 2025. "Discretization modeling with pseudo real-time waves input of the hybrid wave-tidal energy converter based on non-linear motions rectification and coupling device," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 323(C).
    3. Jacek Lukasz Wilk-Jakubowski & Lukasz Pawlik & Grzegorz Wilk-Jakubowski & Radoslaw Harabin, 2025. "State-of-the-Art in the Use of Renewable Energy Sources on the Example of Wind, Wave Energy, Tidal Energy, and Energy Harvesting: A Review from 2015 to 2024," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-26, March.
    4. Li, Hai & Shi, Xiaodan & Kong, Weihua & Kong, Lingji & Hu, Yongli & Wu, Xiaoping & Pan, Hongye & Zhang, Zutao & Pan, Yajia & Yan, Jinyue, 2025. "Advanced wave energy conversion technologies for sustainable and smart sea: A comprehensive review," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 238(C).
    5. Azam, Ali & Ahmed, Ammar & Yi, Minyi & Zhang, Zutao & Zhang, Zeqiang & Aslam, Touqeer & Mugheri, Shoukat Ali & Abdelrahman, Mansour & Ali, Asif & Qi, Lingfei, 2024. "Wave energy evolution: Knowledge structure, advancements, challenges and future opportunities," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 205(C).
    6. Yang, Wenlong & Hu, Yafeng & Guo, Bingxin & Zhu, Wenchao & Xie, Changjun & You, Li & Xiong, Liangli & Zhang, Leiqi, 2025. "Adaptive operation strategy for wind-hydrogen systems integrating alkaline and proton exchange membrane electrolyzers," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 337(C).
    7. Agnieszka A. Tubis & Katarzyna Grzybowska, 2022. "In Search of Industry 4.0 and Logistics 4.0 in Small-Medium Enterprises—A State of the Art Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(22), pages 1-26, November.
    8. Zhang, Tingsheng & Kong, Lingji & Zhu, Zhongyin & Wu, Xiaoping & Li, Hai & Zhang, Zutao & Yan, Jinyue, 2024. "An electromagnetic vibration energy harvesting system based on series coupling input mechanism for freight railroads," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 353(PA).
    9. Meng, Debiao & Yang, Shiyuan & Jesus, Abílio M.P. de & Zhu, Shun-Peng, 2023. "A novel Kriging-model-assisted reliability-based multidisciplinary design optimization strategy and its application in the offshore wind turbine tower," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 203(C), pages 407-420.
    10. Gong, Ying & Shan, Xiaobiao & Luo, Xiaowei & Pan, Jia & Xie, Tao & Yang, Zhengbao, 2019. "Direction-adaptive energy harvesting with a guide wing under flow-induced oscillations," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 187(C).
    11. Dong, Fugui & Wang, Peijun & Li, Wanying, 2025. "Investment suitability assessment and multi-attribute decision-making research for wind-photovoltaic‑hydrogen-storage integrated project based on GIS and cloud weighted power Heronian mean operator," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 401(PC).
    12. Li, Bin & Wu, Zhangxi & Li, Ye & He, Jiawei & Wang, Bowen & Jiao, Kui & Hu, Xinhang & Fan, Hui & Wu, Jianzhong, 2025. "Thermal-water-electrical coupling modeling of PEMFC and its dynamic performance analysis under different operating conditions," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 398(C).
    13. Galván-Pozos, D.E. & Sergiienko, N.Y. & García-Nava, H. & Ocampo-Torres, F.J. & Osuna-Cañedo, J.P., 2024. "Numerical analysis of the energy capture performance of a six-leg wave energy converter under Mexican waters wave conditions," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 228(C).
    14. Jin, Peng & Zheng, Zhi & Zhou, Zhaomin & Zhou, Binzhen & Wang, Lei & Yang, Yang & Liu, Yingyi, 2023. "Optimization and evaluation of a semi-submersible wind turbine and oscillating body wave energy converters hybrid system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 282(C).
    15. Albiona Pestisha & Zoltán Gabnai & Aidana Chalgynbayeva & Péter Lengyel & Attila Bai, 2023. "On-Farm Renewable Energy Systems: A Systematic Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(2), pages 1-25, January.
    16. Park, Joungho & Kang, Sungho & Kim, Sunwoo & Kim, Hana & Kim, Sang-Kyung & Lee, Jay H., 2024. "Optimizing green hydrogen systems: Balancing economic viability and reliability in the face of supply-demand volatility," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 368(C).
    17. Zhu, Nannan & Tang, Fei & Fan, Xinyang & Lv, Jiang & Zhang, Xiaochun & Zhao, Xiaolong & Hu, Longhua, 2025. "Effect of crosswind on the blowout limit of hydrogen-blended natural gas horizontal jet flame," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 317(C).
    18. Liu, Zhengxuan & Zhou, Yuekuan & Yan, Jun & Tostado-Véliz, Marcos, 2023. "Frontier ocean thermal/power and solar PV systems for transformation towards net-zero communities," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 284(C).
    19. Silvestre, Inês & Pastor, Ricardo & Neto, Rui Costa, 2023. "Power losses in natural gas and hydrogen transmission in the Portuguese high-pressure network," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 272(C).
    20. Barry, C.A. & Ringwood, J.V., 2025. "Wave energy technology development in Ireland: Employing the triple helix model of innovation for pragmatic policy interventions," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 81(C).

    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:347:y:2026:i:c:s0360544226004111. 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.