Integrated simulation and multi-site optimisation of wind-operated alkaline water electrolysis for green hydrogen production in Kuwait

Abstract

Diversification of energy mix to meet Vision 2035 sustainability goals is a main challenge facing Kuwait. Green hydrogen production is expected to be one of the solutions. Therefore, this research investigates the technical and economic feasibility of using alkaline water electrolysis to convert intermittent wind resources into green hydrogen, focusing on three strategic sites: Airport, Wafra, and Abdaly. The methodology includes utilisation of a multi-stage modeling framework. A mathematical model was developed in Excel, using semi-empirical equations (Hug and Ulleberg models) to characterise the non-linear relationships between current density, cell voltage, and Faraday efficiency. The Excel model was integrated with TRNSYS for transient system analysis and optimised using HOMER Pro to determine the Levelised Cost of Hydrogen (LCOH). The results show significant differences in site potential and performance. The Airport site appeared as the most feasible, achieving an annual hydrogen production of 469.8 kg (Excel) and 162.65 kg (TRNSYS), with Specific Energy Consumption (SEC) of 52.9 kWh/kg. The Abdaly site showed an efficiency cliff, where low current densities during winter months decreased Faraday efficiency and increased SEC to 407.4 kWh/kg. The comparative analysis reveals that static models (Excel) tend to overpredict energy penalties at Wafra and Abdaly sites by up to 69% compared to dynamic simulations (TRNSYS), which benefit from control logic and battery buffering. HOMER Pro techno-economic analysis results show that system at the Airport site achieved lowest Levelised Cost of Energy (LCOE) of $1.14/kWh and LCOH of $9.03/kg. Irrespective of the high initial capital investment ($103,652), the system demonstrates strategic feasibility for decentralised, zero-emission applications. The study concludes that off-grid wind-operated systems at the Wafra and Abdaly sites are technically inefficient and economically unfeasible without hybridisation with solar arrays. These findings provide a critical roadmap for Kuwaiti policymakers to develop site-specific renewable clusters and adopt encouraging subsidy amendments to evolve competitive local hydrogen systems.