Implementation and digitalization of a renewable hydrogen-based power system for social housing decarbonization

Abstract

The mitigation of greenhouse gases (GHG) triggered by the broad employment of fossil fuels requires a complete energy transition towards the utilization of renewable energy sources (RES), the increase in the efficiency of the systems, implementation of carbon, capture, storage, and utilization (CCSU) technologies to decarbonize the use of fossil fuels and switch to zero-emissions energy carriers. Thus, hydrogen has emerged as a clean and versatile energy carrier that ensures a higher RES penetration that is fundamental to achieving the required energy transition. In this context, the SUDOE ENERGY PUSH project combines RES, novel hydrogen technologies, building information modelling (BIM) methodology, and passive renovation to improve the energy efficiency of social housing in the regions of south-western Europe. In this context, the techno-economic feasibility of a combined renewable hydrogen-based system (RHS) to supply electricity to a residential building has been analyzed in three different locations across the SUDOE region (Spain, France and Portugal) where a pilot plant will be deployed. The evaluation has been carried out by means of HOMER Pro software, studying every configuration in terms of dimensions, energy mix, levelised cost of energy (LCOE), net present cost (NPC) and pollutant emissions. The work reflects a greater potential and competitiveness of an RHS located in Portugal as it is the location with the greatest RES potential and the highest electricity price.