Abstract
Renewable resources are increasingly acknowledged as a crucial solution to address escalating energy demands and combat heightened greenhouse gas emissions within conventional energy systems. This research delves into the techno-economic feasibility of incorporating fuel cell systems into stand-alone hybrid systems tailored to electrify a community load situated in Annaba, northeastern Algeria. This load averages 6.9 kW of power and requires 165.59 kWh/day annually. Employing HOMER software, a comprehensive comparative analysis of four distinct hybrid power system configurations—namely PV/BAT, PV/BAT/DG, PV/BAT/FC, and PV/BAT/FC/DG—was conducted to pinpoint the most optimal solution in meeting energy demands. Parameters such as net present cost, energy cost, energy surplus, load satisfaction, and CO2 emissions were considered. Additionally, the study addressed the environmental impact and evaluated the impact of varying storage battery fleet sizes on the total cost of the power system. Among the configurations scrutinized, the PV/BAT/FC/DG hybrid system emerged as the most favorable option, striking a well-balanced compromise between PV penetration efficiency, energy cost, and system stability. Moreover, the findings highlight the benefits of integrating fuel cell technology into the hybrid system, including minimizing excess energy, reducing the necessity for DG interventions, and optimizing the size of the battery bank.