Smart management of pressure regulating stations to maximize hydrogen injection in a gas distribution network.

Gas distribution networks traditionally maintain constant pressure setpoints at regulating stations, ensuring a consistent supply to end-users with a high safety margin. However, the prospect of hydrogen injection in the gas networks necessitates rethinking operational strategies. This study examines the environmental and fluid-dynamic implications of implementing a smart pressure management approach in regulating stations within a distribution network with a localized hydrogen injection. The research introduces a novel simulation-based optimization algorithm, incorporating a steady-state fluid-dynamic model with hydrogen tracking, used to optimize the pressure setpoints in the stations. The algorithm is applied to a two-pressure levels looped gas network with multiple gas supply nodes and a single hydrogen injection. The test case results reveal that utilizing dynamic pressure setpoints leads to a 22% increase in hydrogen penetration compared to standard operation. Therefore, this study highlights that smart pressure modulation in a gas network with hydrogen injection can unlock a latent decarbonization potential, while simultaneously adhering to safety limits. [Display omitted] • Pressure modulation can increase hydrogen absorption in a distribution network. • Pressure modulation influences the gas flows in the network. • The modulation range is larger when the demand is higher. • At peak demand hydrogen injection is constrained by the node with the minimum pressure. • At minimum demand hydrogen injection is constrained by the gas quality constraint. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]