Operational and Planning Strategy for Hydrogen Energy Storage in Distribution Networks Under Dynamic Transformer Capacity Expansion Scenarios

Abstract

The large-scale integration of distributed generation has significantly increased the complexity of distribution network operation optimization, leading to issues such as voltage violations and reverse power flows. To address these challenges, this paper proposes an operational and planning strategy for hydrogen energy storage in distribution networks under dynamic transformer capacity expansion scenarios. First, the impact of reverse power flow on transformer losses in distribution networks with high penetration of renewable energy is analyzed, clarifying the advantages of hydrogen energy storage in conjunction with dynamic transformer capacity expansion scenarios. Second, a collaborative optimization strategy for the operation of the distribution network that integrates PV and hydrogen energy is proposed for scenarios with dynamic transformer capacity expansion. Next, the two-level planning strategy for hydrogen energy storage in distribution networks under dynamic transformer capacity expansion scenarios is established. Meanwhile, an improved generative adversarial network is used to account for the uncertainty in renewable energy output, and a heuristic algorithm is applied to solve the two-level configuration model in the hydrogen energy storage planning. Finally, the effectiveness of the hydrogen energy storage operational planning strategy is validated through the study of the IEEE 33-bus and IEEE 118-bus distribution network. In the IEEE 33-bus distribution network, the proposed strategy reduces the maximum voltage from 1.07 to 1.05 and decreases the maximum reverse power flow by 78.95%. After integrating hydrogen energy storage, the electricity purchase cost for the hydrogen production system is 1.9 × 10⁶ ¥, the annual total maintenance cost is 4.4 × 10⁴ ¥, and the hydrogen sales revenue reaches 6.6 × 10⁶ ¥, demonstrating significant economic benefits of hydrogen energy storage operation. Similar results are also observed in the 118-bus system, further validating the effectiveness of the proposed strategy.