Energy management of hydrogen refueling stations in a distribution system: A bilevel chance-constrained approach

The increasing demand for hydrogen vehicles has made the planning and operation of hydrogen refueling stations (HRS) an essential task. In this paper, a comprehensive model of HRSs including on-site electrolyzers, storages, compressors, vaporizers, chillers, and dispensers has been model in a hydrogen distribution system (HDS). Optimizing the operation of HRSs and the layout of the HDS in the retail hydrogen market is a hierarchical decision-making problem. Thus, a bilevel model is proposed where the upper-level problem is maximizing the profit of the HDS, and the lower-level problem is minimizing the operation costs of the HRSs. A chance-constrained approach is implemented to cope with the uncertainties of hydrogen demand and renewable power generation. The proposed model is transformed from a nonlinear bilevel problem to a linear single-level model by applying the Karush–Kuhn–Tucker conditions and dual theory to the lower-level problem. Simulation results demonstrated the practicality of the proposed bilevel model compared with centralized models. In addition, it is shown that increasing the confidence level increases both the HDS profit and HRS operating costs. [Display omitted] •A model of hydrogen refueling stations in a hydrogen distribution system is proposed.•The operation model of hydrogen stations is a hierarchical decision-making problem.•A chance-constrained method captures uncertainty of hydrogen demand and solar power.•Compared to centralized methods, bi-level operation model offers more benefits.