The Techno-Economic Study on Green Hydrogen Production at the Pelangai Hulu Micro-Hydro Power Plant, Pesisir Selatan - West Sumatera

Abstract

This techno-economic study evaluates the feasibility of integrating the Pelangai Hulu micro-hydropower plant (MHPP) with an alkaline electrolyser (AE) for green hydrogen production in West Sumatra. Aspen HYSYS simulations calibrated with operational data from the Priok Combined-Cycle Plant showed an 18% deviation primarily caused by assumptions in system efficiency, simplified electrolyser modeling, and limitations in the calibration methodology. The MHPP operates at an average capacity factor of 71 % and supplies approximately 3.7 GWh year⁻¹ of surplus electricity, enabling uninterrupted AE operation. AE technology is selected for its TRL-9 maturity, a lifetime of 60–120 k operating hours, and the lowest stack cost (≈ USD 270 kW⁻¹). Scaling up the simulation results to 500 kW equivalent to 13 modules of TITAN™ HMXT-100 module is projected to yield 47 045 kg H₂ year⁻¹. Three electricity-supply scenarios were applied for simulations, utilizing internal excess power at full load reduces the levelized cost of hydrogen (LCOH) to IDR 153.405 kg⁻¹, roughly 30 % below the grid-electricity case. Under this optimum scenario, the financial indicators are compelling: a 39 % internal rate of return, a 2.4-year payback period, and a positive net present value of IDR 15.3 billion over ten years. Sensitivity analysis (±20 % electricity tariff) confirms business-case robustness, indicating that MHPP–AE integration is technically viable, economically attractive, and scalable for wider deployment in Indonesia.