Comparative Assessment of Battery and Hydrogen Energy Storage in a Grid-Connected Heat-Electricity Integrated Microgrid

Given the significant challenges of conventional power systems, including high emissions and operational costs, transitioning to microgrids (MGs) is increasingly critical. This paper presents a comprehensive evaluation of three energy management strategies for a grid-connected, heat-electricity integrated MG: (i) a base case without storage, (ii) a battery-based energy storage system (B-BESS), and (iii) a hydrogenbased energy storage system (H-BESS) comprising an electrolyzer (ELC), hydrogen tank (HT), and fuel cell (FC). This study optimizes operational profit and emissions reduction by integrating renewable energy and heat recovery mechanisms. Simulation results show that, compared to the base case, both B-BESS and H-BESS significantly improve emissions performance and economic returns. The B-BESS configuration results in the highest daily revenue due to its cost-effective energy storage and fastresponse capabilities, while H-BESS, despite a higher initial cost, offers superior emissions reductions and energy flexibility. The paper evaluates trade-offs between investment costs and net profit, emphasizing the multi-energy benefits of H-BESS, particularly thermal energy recovery.