Flexibility of Distributed Power-to-Gas in Interconnected Electricity-Gas Distribution Network Including Pressure Management

This study investigates the impact of pressure limits in natural gas (NG) distribution networks on the economic effectiveness of Power-to-Gas (P2G) systems in alleviating congestion and associated reinforcement investments in electricity distribution networks. A joint optimal planning and operational model integrating P2G facilities within interconnected electricity-gas distribution networks is developed, incorporating investment decisions in the electricity network formulated as a Mixed-Integer Second Order Cone Program (MISOCP). Results demonstrate that pressure constraints in the gas grid significantly reduce the flexibility and efficacy of P2G in mitigating congestion issues, resulting in an annualized reinforcement cost in the electricity grid of 0.9 million compared to 0.4 million without gas-grid constraints. Implementation of pressure management (PM) strategies enhances the flexibility of P2G systems, facilitating increased upstream hydrogen flow during periods of low demand. Static pressure management (SPM) effectively alleviates gas-grid congestion under stable hydrogen demand conditions, leading to reduced reinforcement costs in the electricity grid. Dynamic pressure management (DPM) proves highly effective in mitigating gas-grid congestion, although operational constraints persist for distributed P2G systems during summer and spring days. Transitioning passive NG distribution grids to Active Gas Distribution Networks (AGDNs) with pressure management is essential to overcome gas-grid congestion stemming from distributed P2G system return flows. This transformation enhances the flexibility and efficacy of P2G systems in reducing congestion within electricity distribution grids.