Risk-averse resilient joint expansion planning of integrated energy distribution systems with energy hubs

• A novel bi-level optimization framework is proposed for resilient joint expansion planning of energy systems with energy hubs. • Optimal planning and operation of energy hubs significantly improve the resilience of integrated energy distribution systems. • Short- and long-term resilience measures, including energy hub placement, DG allocation, and network hardening, are jointly evaluated. • A risk-averse approach accounts for uncertainties in load, wind generation, and extreme events. • The proposed framework significantly enhances resilience while reducing expansion costs by strategically deploying energy hubs. As natural disasters and human-induced threats become increasingly frequent, enhancing the resilience of Integrated Energy Distribution Systems (IEDSs) is essential for maintaining reliable energy services. This paper presents a novel framework for resilient expansion planning of IEDSs, incorporating Energy Hubs (EHs) alongside conventional measures such as line hardening and Distributed Generation (DG) placement. The proposed framework aims to deliver a cost-effective and robust solution through the strategic deployment of EHs. To address the inherent complexity of multi-carrier energy systems, a bi-level mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) model is developed. The upper-level addresses resilience-oriented expansion planning of the IEDS, while the lower level focuses on the optimal planning and operation of EHs. These hubs integrate DG, Combined Heat and Power (CHP) units, batteries, and thermal storage to minimize investment and operational costs while limiting infrastructure expansion and improving overall economic efficiency. A risk-averse (RA) approach is employed to handle uncertainties such as load variability, wind power fluctuations, and the impact of earthquakes, ensuring a robust and conservative planning outcome. Simulation results on a large-scale IEDS consisting of 54 electricity nodes and 50 gas nodes reveal that EH-based strategies outperform conventional resilience measures, achieving substantial improvements in system resilience at lower costs. Specifically, the utilization of EHs leads to an 8.47 % reduction in total expansion costs and an 18.59 % increase in the resilience index. Furthermore, EHs enhance operational efficiency under both normal and emergency conditions. These findings highlight EHs as a highly cost-effective solution for improving the resilience of integrated energy distribution systems.