Optimal dispatch of electricity-hydrogen blended natural gas integrated energy systems incorporating refined gas transmission network modeling

Hydrogen-blended natural gas (HBNG) integration into existing natural gas infrastructure offers a promising pathway for developing low-carbon integrated energy systems (IES). To address research gaps in pipeline network modeling and holistic hydrogen system analysis, this study develops an optimized dispatch framework for electricity-HBNG IES (EHIES) incorporating advanced pipeline hydrogenation models. Accounting for constant energy flow requirements in operational pipelines, we analyze HBNG pipeline impacts on IES dispatch patterns through a case study coupling an IEEE 33-node power grid with a 6-node gas network. Key findings reveal: 1) Pipeline stability under constant energy flow necessitates a maximum hydrogen blending ratio of 6.37 % for high-pressure Grade B pipelines in China; 2) Compared to pure natural gas systems, EHIES achieves operational cost reductions of 10.60 % (industrial), 23.00 % (commercial), and 18.18 % (residential) while demonstrating superior low-carbon performance; 3) Carbon trading base price and range directly influence regional emissions, trading volume, and system costs, with stepwise carbon trading proving critical for low-carbon operation. This research provides crucial technical support for hydrogen-traditional energy compatibility studies and large-scale hydrogen deployment, while delivering quantitative foundations for hydrogen blending standards and carbon market policies. • Developed an EHIES dispatch model integrating refined HBNG pipeline–compressor joint operation model. • Stable joint operation of Grade B pipelines and compressors in China requires limiting the hydrogen blending ratio to 6.37 %. • EHIES reduces operating costs by 10.60 %, 23.00 %, and 18.18 % for industrial, commercial, and residential users. • Quantitative sensitivity confirms carbon price parameters strongly affect emissions and trading volume.