Novel design of hybrid dish Stirling engine and FC-electrolyzer system for synergistic power and green hydrogen solutions: A 3E performance evaluation

This study aims to employ mathematical simulation techniques to assess the technical, financial, and environmental aspects of an advanced dish Stirling-fuel cell energy solution. The proposed system provides an integrated sustainable power and green hydrogen co-generation. This study is the first attempt to integrate Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFCs) with a Dish Stirling Engine (DSE). Hence, the novelty of this work is replacing typical photovoltaic-driven hydrogen systems with an innovative DSE-Fuel Cell System with Hydrogen Storage Tanks and Electrolyzer (DSE-FC) for improved performance of hydrogen production. The configuration being proposed includes units of DSEs, a Proton Exchange Membrane Electrolyzer (PEME), PEMFCs, a converter, and a tank for storing hydrogen. The Techno-Environmental-economic (3E) analysis of the hybrid system was modeled using MATLAB/Simulink?. Moreover, parametric analysis was applied to the developed system to evaluate system performance, including DSE panel power, efficiency, and area; electrolyzer flow rate, efficiency, output power; stack efficiency and power; overall levelized cost of energy (LCOE) of the assembled parts; and annual reduction in CO2 emissions. The simulation results demonstrated that the FC stack could attain its peak power output of 2.33 kW and efficiency of 11.34 % when the DSE-rated power is 350 kW, the operating temperature is 40 ?C, and there are about 300 cells in the stack. Moreover, the LCOE was identified to be about 0.223 $/kWh with higher DSE outputs of 35 kW amongst temperatures between 10 ?C and 35 ?C. Further, with a DSE system rated at 35 kW, the overall power generation varies from 196 kW to 194.4 kW as the lower temperature elevates from 10 ?C to 35 ?C. Ultimately, a DSE-rated power of 17 kW?35 kW yielded a 461.9 % CO2 emissions reduction boost at 10 ?C in the rate to 1489 tonnCO2. The adopted method introduces a sustainable solution to address power and hydrogen challenges worldwide.