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Renewable energy

Resilient Microgrid Systems Powered by Renewable Energy and Hydrogen Emerge as Key to Remote Power Systems Transition

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Researchers at the University of Massachusetts Lowell have proposed a novel computational design tool for renewable power microgrids that incorporate hydrogen energy storage, paving the way for the transition away from fossil-fuel based power systems. This innovative approach leverages the integration of hydrogen energy storage with renewable energy resources, making it an attractive solution for remote power systems. The research has been peer-reviewed and funded by the United States Navy and the Office of Naval Research.

Key Takeaways:

  • The proposed computational design tool is designed to optimize the sizing of components in renewable power microgrids with integrated hydrogen energy storage, allowing for efficient energy conversion and storage.
  • The tool requires only two main inputs: microgrid demand profile and local weather data, making it user-friendly and accessible to a wide range of users.
  • The research concluded that a sustainable wind-hydrogen energy system can be realized if the average power generation from wind turbines is greater than or equal to 125% of the peak load demand.
  • The tool can be used to design and optimize sustainable renewable-hydrogen microgrid systems, enabling the transition away from remote fossil-fuel based power systems.
  • The research has significant implications for remote power systems, particularly in coastal areas where wind and wave energy are abundant.
  • The United States Navy and the Office of Naval Research have funded this research, highlighting the potential for this technology to be adopted in naval applications.

Statistics:

  • 125%: The minimum average power generation from wind turbines required to realize a sustainable wind-hydrogen energy system.
  • 0-D models: The type of physics-based models used to represent each component of the renewable energy conversion and hydrogen energy storage system in MATLAB/Simulink.
  • 2: The number of main inputs required by the design tool, namely the microgrid demand profile and the local weather data.
  • 1: The online journal of International Journal of Energy Research, where the research was published.

Sources:

  • A Design and Optimization Tool for Sustainable Renewable-hydrogen Microgrid Systems. International Journal of Energy Research, 2025;2025(1). International Journal of Energy Research can be contacted at: Wiley, 111 River St, Hoboken 07030-5774, NJ, USA. (Wiley-Blackwell - www.wiley.com/; International Journal of Energy Research - onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1002/(ISSN)1099-114X)
  • NewsRx. Researchers' Work from University of Massachusetts Lowell Focuses on Renewable Energy (A Design and Optimization Tool for Sustainable Renewable-hydrogen Microgrid Systems). Ecology, Environment & Conservation. August 15, 2025; p 476.

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