Determining Hosting Capacity of Distribution Networks for Power-To-Gas Technologies Considering Energy Storage Systems and Volt-Var Management: A Stochastic–IGDT Model

Along with the fast proliferation of natural gas vehicles and compressed natural gas (CNG) stations, the increasing incorporation of power-to-gas (P2G) technologies into active distribution networks for natural gas production is witnessed. On the one hand, it is beneficial for distribution networks to increase the quantity of natural gas that could be produced by P2G technologies of grid-connected CNG stations. On the other hand, uncontrolled power injection to these stations from distribution network may cause technical challenges. Therefore, this work proposes a novel optimization model to determine the hosting capacity of active distribution networks for P2G technologies, while considering energy storage systems and volt-var control (VVC). The uncertainties of renewable wind-based sources and nodal load in the proposed model are handled by using a hybrid information gap decision theory (IGDT)-stochastic method. Accordingly, the distribution network operator can adopt a risk-averse strategy to deal with the undesirable deviations of nodal load, while considering various possible scenarios for wind power generation. A modified IEEE 33-bus test network is performed to validate the proposed model. The obtained results not only show that the simultaneous consideration of VVC and energy storage systems leads to more than 33.8% increase in the hosting capacity of the distribution network for P2G technologies, but also prove the applicability of the risk-averse stochastic model in dealing with the uncertain fluctuations.