Feasibility assessment and response surface optimization of a fuel cell-integrated sustainable wind farm in Italy

This study explores the design and feasibility of a novel fuel cell-powered wind farm for residential electricity, hydrogen/oxygen production, and cooling/heating via a compression chiller. Wind turbine energy powers Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) electrolyzers and a compression chiller unit. The proposed system was modeled using EES thermodynamic software, and its economic viability was assessed. A case study across seven Italian regions with varying wind potentials evaluated the system's feasibility in diverse weather conditions. Multi-objective optimization using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) determined the number of wind turbines as optimum, number of electrolyzers, & fuel cell units. Optimization results indicated that 37 wind turbines, 1 fuel cell unit, and 2 electrolyzer units yielded an exergy efficiency of 27.98 % and a cost rate of 619.9 $/h. TOPSIS analysis suggested 32 wind turbines, 2 electrolyzers, and 2 reverse osmosis units as an alternative configuration. Further, twelve different scenarios were examined to enhance the distribution of wind farm-generated electricity among the grid, electrolyzers, and reverse osmosis systems., revealing that directing 25 % to reverse osmosis, 20 % to electrolyzers, and 55 % to grid sales was optimal. Performance analysis across seven Italian cities (Turin, Bologna, Florence, Palermo, Genoa, Milan, and Rome) identified Genoa, Palermo, and Bologna as the most suitable locations due to favorable wind conditions. Implementing the system in Genoa, the optimal site, could produce 28,435 MWh of electricity annually, prevent 5801 tons of CO2 emissions (equivalent to 139,218 $). Moreover, selling this clean electricity to the grid could meet the annual clean electricity needs of approximately 5770 people in Italy.