Optimal operation of electric-hydrogen coupling micro-energy networks considering the self-heat-recovery

As a green energy carrier, hydrogen is increasingly used for energy storage in micro-energy networks. However, as the core component of hydrogen energy storage, the multi-electrolyzer still encounters challenges with low energy utilization efficiency and subjective electrolyzer power distribution. Firstly, this paper proposes a multi-physics coupled dynamic model considering the self-heat-recovery of an alkaline electrolyzer (AEL). This model stores heat during the production state and supplies it to the electrolyzers during the standby state, thereby improving energy utilization efficiency. Secondly, a balanced optimization strategy was proposed to address the issue of subjective electrolyzer power distribution while ensuring balanced operation across multiple electrolyzer units. Based on the proposed multi-AEL model and the strategy, an optimal day-ahead scheduling model for the micro-energy network is formulated, aiming to minimize economic costs while incorporating a penalty term for the non-equilibrium operation of the multi-electrolyzer. Finally, the generalized Benders decomposition method is adopted to linearize the mixed integer nonlinear multi-AEL economic scheduling problem. Numerical results demonstrate that the proposed multi-AEL model considering self-recovery-heat can effectively increase the energy efficiency of AELs in the production state from 52.7 % to 77.7 %. Furthermore, the proposed strategy reduces operational fluctuations in each cell and mitigates the lifespan reduction caused by frequent fluctuations or overuse.