Optimal design of concentrated solar power-based hydrogen refueling station: Mixed integer linear programming approach

This paper developed a mixed integer linear programming model to optimally design hydrogen refueling station coupled with an on-grid concentrated solar power. The model aims to minimize the total life cycle cost of the integrated system addressing various constraints. The utility of the proposed model is validated using hydrogen refueling station under the weather conditions of Dhahran city, Saudi Arabia. The station fulfills the daily hydrogen requirements of taxi-fleet in Dhahran city, estimating a daily demand of 4202 kg of hydrogen. The proposed hydrogen refueling station requires a solar field of 71,721 square meters to generate 50,233 MWh of energy annually. The on-grid concentrated solar power system is determined to produce an excess energy of 10,515 MWh which is exported to the grid, highlighting positive economic impact. The levelized cost of hydrogen of the proposed system is 7.17 $/kg. The achieved results validated the feasibility and efficiency of the proposed system, positioning it as a sustainable solution for meeting the rising demand for clean and green transportation in the region.