A Design Optimisation of Green Hydrogen Production in South Africa Using Concentrated Solar-Thermal Power

This research paper introduces an optimized Concentrated Solar-Thermal Power (CSP) system to produce green hydrogen, employing a 10 MW copper-chlorine proton exchange membrane electrolyser. The CSP system incorporates a molten salt thermal storage tank to ensure consistent electricity generation during periods of low solar energy (e.g. night-time and winter seasons). The optimization process is implemented through Python. The primary focus of the optimization is to maximize the output power and efficiency of the CSP plant, and maximise hydrogen production while considering electricity cost, encompassing factors such as the Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) and Levelized Cost of Hydrogen (LCOH) throughout the operation of the plant. The validity of the proposed model is confirmed through investigations conducted in five high solar areas in the Northern Cape, South Africa.