Optimal operational strategy for an offgrid hybrid hydrogen/electricity refueling station powered by solar photovoltaics

Abstract

This study introduces a novel concept to provide both electric charging and hydrogen refueling at the same location. A hybrid hydrogen/electricity refueling station (HERS) powered only by solar photovoltaics in a remote area without access to the electrical grid is proposed. This station provides electricity for battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and simultaneously produces hydrogen for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (HFCVs). Owing to the variability of PV power output and electricity price, electricity and hydrogen demands, this study investigates a possible operational strategy for the offgrid HERS. The objective is to propose optimal operational strategies for such a station to maximize profits by selling electricity and hydrogen to owners of both BEVs and HFCVs. Failure to supply electricity and hydrogen is treated as a penalty in the target function. The scenario-based stochastic method is adopted for this uncertainty modeling, and the conditional value-at-risk is also considered for evaluating the financial risks. The results reveal that 1) the proposed HERS can simultaneously supply the demands of the BEVs and HFCVs and 2) the behavior of HERS (providing energy to BEVs or HFCVs) is determined by several major factors, namely, electricity and hydrogen prices, and the penalty coefficients.