A game-theoretic framework for hydrogen integration to accelerate energy transitions in Great Britain

The pathway towards net-zero emissions requires a clearly defined strategy that effectively integrates renewable energy, enhances system flexibility, and ensures economic viability. This paper develops a game-theoretic framework for integrated energy system planning in Great Britain (GB), aimed at addressing scalability and cross-sector policy interactions. The proposed framework captures competition among electricity, gas, and hydrogen systems within a multi-vector context. This framework is based on a bi-level optimisation structure that links long-term capacity investment decisions with short-term operational strategies, enabling the planning of integrated system dynamics under realistic constraints. Key contributions include the evaluation of hydrogen-based vector-coupling storage (VCS) as a flexible solution for enhancing system reliability and cost-effectiveness. Through this framework, the study explores how renewables, hydrogen systems, and infrastructure can synergise to support the United Kingdom’s energy transition goals. The findings provide actionable insights for policymakers and industry stakeholders, offering tools to guide investment, infrastructure requirements, and decarbonisation efforts.