IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v17y2025i8p3555-d1635277.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Real-Time Modeling of a Solar-Driven Power Plant with Green Hydrogen, Electricity, and Fresh Water Production: Techno-Economics and Optimization

Author

Listed:
  • Paniz Arashrad

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Tabriz, Tabriz 5166616471, Iran)

  • Shayan Sharafi Laleh

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Tabriz, Tabriz 5166616471, Iran)

  • Shayan Rabet

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Tabriz, Tabriz 5166616471, Iran)

  • Mortaza Yari

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Tabriz, Tabriz 5166616471, Iran)

  • Saeed Soltani

    (Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Antalya Bilim University, 07190 Antalya, Turkey)

  • Marc A. Rosen

    (Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Ontario Institute of Technology, 2000 Simcoe Street North, Oshawa, ON L1G 0C5, Canada)

Abstract

Solar energy is important for the future as it provides a clean, renewable source of electricity that can help combat climate change by reducing reliance on fossil fuels via implementing various solar-based energy systems. In this study, a unique configuration for a parabolic-trough-based solar system is presented that allows energy storage for periods of time with insufficient solar radiation. This model, based on extensive analysis in MATLAB utilizing real-time weather data, demonstrates promising results with strong practical applicability. An organic Rankine cycle with a regenerative configuration is applied to produce electricity, which is further utilized for hydrogen generation. A proton exchange membrane electrolysis (PEME) unit converts electricity to hydrogen, a clean and versatile energy carrier since the electricity is solar based. To harness the maximum value from this system, additional energy during peak times is used to produce clean water utilizing a reverse osmosis (RO) desalination unit. The system’s performance is examined by conducting a case study for the city of Antalya, Turkey, to attest to the unit’s credibility and performance. This system is also optimized via the Grey Wolf multi-objective algorithm from energy, exergy, and techno-economic perspectives. For the optimization scenario performed, the energy and exergy efficiencies of the system and the levelized cost of products are found to be approximately 26.5%, 28.5%, and 0.106 $/kWh, respectively.

Suggested Citation

  • Paniz Arashrad & Shayan Sharafi Laleh & Shayan Rabet & Mortaza Yari & Saeed Soltani & Marc A. Rosen, 2025. "Real-Time Modeling of a Solar-Driven Power Plant with Green Hydrogen, Electricity, and Fresh Water Production: Techno-Economics and Optimization," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(8), pages 1-29, April.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:8:p:3555-:d:1635277
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/8/3555/pdf
    Download Restriction: no

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/8/3555/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Wang, Jiangfeng & Dai, Yiping & Gao, Lin & Ma, Shaolin, 2009. "A new combined cooling, heating and power system driven by solar energy," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 34(12), pages 2780-2788.
    2. Al-Sulaiman, Fahad A. & Hamdullahpur, Feridun & Dincer, Ibrahim, 2012. "Performance assessment of a novel system using parabolic trough solar collectors for combined cooling, heating, and power production," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 48(C), pages 161-172.
    3. Akan, Taner, 2023. "Can renewable energy mitigate the impacts of inflation and policy interest on climate change?," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 214(C), pages 255-289.
    4. Blanco-Marigorta, Ana M. & Masi, Marco & Manfrida, Giampaolo, 2014. "Exergo-environmental analysis of a reverse osmosis desalination plant in Gran Canaria," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 223-232.
    5. Batista, Natasha E. & Carvalho, Paulo C.M. & Fernández-Ramírez, Luis M. & Braga, Arthur P.S., 2023. "Optimizing methodologies of hybrid renewable energy systems powered reverse osmosis plants," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 182(C).
    6. Abedi, Mahyar & Tan, Xu & Klausner, James F. & Bénard, Andre, 2023. "Solar desalination chimneys: Investigation on the feasibility of integrating solar chimneys with humidification–dehumidification systems," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 202(C), pages 88-102.
    7. Abdollahipour, Armin & Sayyaadi, Hoseyn, 2022. "Optimal design of a hybrid power generation system based on integrating PEM fuel cell and PEM electrolyzer as a moderator for micro-renewable energy systems," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 260(C).
    8. Zheng, Nan & Zhang, Hanfei & Duan, Liqiang & Wang, Qiushi & Bischi, Aldo & Desideri, Umberto, 2023. "Techno-economic analysis of a novel solar-driven PEMEC-SOFC-based multi-generation system coupled parabolic trough photovoltaic thermal collector and thermal energy storage," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 331(C).
    9. Zheng, Nan & Zhang, Hanfei & Duan, Liqiang & Wang, Xiaomeng & Liu, Luyao, 2022. "Energy, exergy, exergoeconomic and exergoenvironmental analysis and optimization of a novel partially covered parabolic trough photovoltaic thermal collector based on life cycle method," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 200(C), pages 1573-1588.
    10. Gul, Eid & Baldinelli, Giorgio & Bartocci, Pietro & Shamim, Tariq & Domenighini, Piergiovanni & Cotana, Franco & Wang, Jinwen & Fantozzi, Francesco & Bianchi, Francesco, 2023. "Transition toward net zero emissions - Integration and optimization of renewable energy sources: Solar, hydro, and biomass with the local grid station in central Italy," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 207(C), pages 672-686.
    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. Fatemeh Parnian Gharamaleki & Shayan Sharafi Laleh & Nima Ghasemzadeh & Saeed Soltani & Marc A. Rosen, 2024. "Optimization of a Biomass-Based Power and Fresh Water-Generation System by Machine Learning Using Thermoeconomic Assessment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(20), pages 1-24, October.
    2. DeLovato, Nicolas & Sundarnath, Kavin & Cvijovic, Lazar & Kota, Krishna & Kuravi, Sarada, 2019. "A review of heat recovery applications for solar and geothermal power plants," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 114(C), pages 1-1.
    3. Mortadi, M. & El Fadar, A. & Achkari Begdouri, O., 2024. "4E analysis of photovoltaic thermal collector-based tri-generation system with adsorption cooling: Annual simulation under Moroccan climate conditions," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 221(C).
    4. Xu, Xiao Xiao & Liu, Chao & Fu, Xiang & Gao, Hong & Li, Yourong, 2015. "Energy and exergy analyses of a modified combined cooling, heating, and power system using supercritical CO2," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 86(C), pages 414-422.
    5. Dabwan, Yousef N. & Pei, Gang & Gao, Guangtao & Li, Jing & Feng, Junsheng, 2019. "Performance analysis of integrated linear fresnel reflector with a conventional cooling, heat, and power tri-generation plant," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 138(C), pages 639-650.
    6. Mehrenjani, Javad Rezazadeh & Gharehghani, Ayat & Ahmadi, Samareh & Powell, Kody M., 2023. "Dynamic simulation of a triple-mode multi-generation system assisted by heat recovery and solar energy storage modules: Techno-economic optimization using machine learning approaches," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 348(C).
    7. Han, Li & Wang, Shiqi & Cheng, Yingjie & Chen, Shuo & Wang, Xiaojing, 2024. "Multi-timescale scheduling of an integrated electric-hydrogen energy system with multiple types of electrolysis cells operating in concert with fuel cells," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 307(C).
    8. Mosaffa, A.H. & Farshi, L. Garousi, 2018. "Thermodynamic and economic assessments of a novel CCHP cycle utilizing low-temperature heat sources for domestic applications," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 120(C), pages 134-150.
    9. Zheng, Nan & Zhang, Hanfei & Duan, Liqiang & Wang, Xiaomeng & Wang, Qiushi & Liu, Luyao, 2023. "Multi-criteria performance analysis and optimization of a solar-driven CCHP system based on PEMWE, SOFC, TES, and novel PVT for hotel and office buildings," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 206(C), pages 1249-1264.
    10. Wang, Jiangjiang & Lu, Yanchao & Yang, Ying & Mao, Tianzhi, 2016. "Thermodynamic performance analysis and optimization of a solar-assisted combined cooling, heating and power system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 115(P1), pages 49-59.
    11. Zheng, Nan & Wang, Qiushi & Ding, Xingqi & Zhang, Hanfei & Duan, Liqiang & Wang, Xiaomeng & Zhou, Yufei & Sun, Mingjia & Desideri, Umberto, 2024. "Techno-economic analysis of a novel solar-based polygeneration system integrated with vanadium redox flow battery and thermal energy storage considering robust source-load response," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 376(PB).
    12. Wen, Xin & Ji, Jie & Li, Zhaomeng & Yao, Tingting, 2023. "Proposing of a novel PV/T module in series with a ST+TE module to pursue a round-the-clock continuous energy output," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 285(C).
    13. Zheng, Nan & Zhang, Hanfei & Duan, Liqiang & Wang, Qiushi, 2023. "Comprehensive sustainability assessment of a novel solar-driven PEMEC-SOFC-based combined cooling, heating, power, and storage (CCHPS) system based on life cycle method," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 265(C).
    14. Zheng, Nan & Wang, Qiushi & Ding, Xingqi & Wang, Xiaomeng & Zhang, Hanfei & Duan, Liqiang & Desideri, Umberto, 2025. "Proactive energy storage operation strategy and optimization of a solar polystorage and polygeneration system based on day-ahead load forecasting," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 381(C).
    15. Dabwan, Yousef N. & Pei, Gang, 2020. "A novel integrated solar gas turbine trigeneration system for production of power, heat and cooling: Thermodynamic-economic-environmental analysis," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 152(C), pages 925-941.
    16. Yin, Boyi & Zhu, Wenjiang & Tang, Cheng & Wang, Can & Xu, Xinhai, 2025. "Hierarchical optimal scheduling of IES considering SOFC degradation, internal and external uncertainties," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 381(C).
    17. Razmi, Amir Reza & Hanifi, Amir Reza & Shahbakhti, Mahdi, 2023. "Design, thermodynamic, and economic analyses of a green hydrogen storage concept based on solid oxide electrolyzer/fuel cells and heliostat solar field," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 215(C).
    18. Alvin Henao & Luceny Guzman, 2024. "Exploration of Alternatives to Reduce the Gap in Access to Electricity in Rural Communities—Las Nubes Village Case (Barranquilla, Colombia)," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(1), pages 1-19, January.
    19. Yanfeng Liu & Yaxing Wang & Xi Luo, 2020. "Design and Operation Optimization of Distributed Solar Energy System Based on Dynamic Operation Strategy," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-26, December.
    20. Buonomano, Annamaria & Calise, Francesco & Palombo, Adolfo & Vicidomini, Maria, 2015. "Energy and economic analysis of geothermal–solar trigeneration systems: A case study for a hotel building in Ischia," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 138(C), pages 224-241.

    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:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:8:p:3555-:d:1635277. 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: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    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.