Hydrogen-electricity-heat sector Coupling: Review of integrated models, control strategies, challenges, and future research directions

Abstract

The integration of hydrogen, electrical, and thermal energy systems represents a crucial direction for deep decarbonization by enhancing energy flexibility, maximizing the use of renewable resources, and facilitating inter-sectoral energy exchanges aligned with consistent climate and energy availability objectives. This review consolidates recent developments in the integrated modeling and control of hydrogen-electricity-heat (HEH) coupling, emphasizing optimization, real-time operational strategies, and data-driven methodologies that enhance resource efficiency and system robustness. Empirical data from simulations and pilot investigations indicate that synchronized HEH operations can reduce renewable energy cutting , increase overall system and decrease CO₂ emissions compared to uncoupled systems. We scrutinize deterministic, stochastic, dynamic, and hybrid physics-artificial intelligence (AI) frameworks, including novel AutoML-assisted methodologies, alongside hierarchical and predictive control strategies. Outstanding challenges in scalability, multi-time-scale coordination, uncertainty mitigation, interoperability, and market structuring are identified, and a strategic framework is proposed for hybrid physics-ML modeling, decentralized multi-agent control, and digital-twin-enabled optimization to encourage equitable, cost-effective, and climate-resilient HEH energy ecosystems across varied geographical and socio-economic contexts globally.