Performance analysis and optimization of a zero-emission solar-driven hydrogen production system based on solar power tower plant and protonic ceramic electrolysis cells

The solar-driven high-temperature steam electrolysis is promising for efficient large-scale H₂ production. In this study, a comprehensive component-to-system model and optimization framework is developed to investigate the performance of a zero-emission H₂ production system based on solar power plant and protonic ceramic electrolysis cell. Compared to previous system studies, the detailed description of cell internal operating characteristics is realized by integrating multi-physics simulation and artificial neural network. After parametric analyses, it is found that the system energy/exergy efficiency and co-generation performance are complicated by each subsystem. And the optimal system performance (η_th = 50.63 %, Z = 179.63 $·h⁻¹ and η_ex = 33.03 %, Z = 178.94 $·h⁻¹, with LCOE = 0.172 $·kWh⁻¹ and Z_H2 = 6.497 $·kg⁻¹) is obtained considering cell operating features and system energy-exergy-economic factors through multi-objective optimizations. Besides, the tradeoff between system maximum H₂ production capacity and cell internal thermal conditions is revealed. This study can facilitate the development of zero-emission green H₂ production driven by renewable energy.