Optimal Design and Operation of the Hydrogen Supply Chain for Efficient Hydrogen Refueling Station Deployment

Hydrogen plays a key role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, offering a clean and sustainable energy solution to decarbonize transportation and other sectors. Hydrogen supply chains (HSCs) are critical infrastructures that are rapidly ex-panding to support the widespread adoption of fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) in various mobility applications. In this regard, this paper proposes a new approach to optimally synergize the planning and operation of HSCs and the electrical grid to enable the effective deployment of hydrogen refueling stations (HRSs). The proposed approach is predicated on a coordinated management strategy for multiple control variables, including the capacities of the hydrogen storage tanks at the HPSs and HRSs, the capacities of the compressor units at the HPSs and HRSs, the volume of hydrogen transported between the HPSs and HRSs, the capacities of the water electrolyzers at the HPSs, and the power-to-hydrogen amount. In addition, the stochastic nature of FCEV usage and uncertainties in load demand are considered. Annual costs, including both investment and operational costs, are considered an objective function to minimize. The simulation results reveal the effectiveness of the proposed approach, which yields a notable net profit of about $1,697,128. These findings highlight the potential of an integrated hydrogen and electricity network to accelerate the transition toward a low-carbon future.