Work

A Cooperative Planning Framework for Hydrogen Blending in Great Britain’s Integrated Energy System

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Achieving Great Britain’s 2050 net-zero target requires strategic integration of hydrogen into the national energy system. This study evaluates the system-wide impacts of hydrogen blending (0–100%) using a bi-level optimisation framework that combines long-term cooperative investment planning with short-term operational Optimal Power and Gas Flow (OPGF) simulation. The strategic layer models infrastructure investment decisions under a cooperative game-theoretic structure, where system value is allocated among electricity, hydrogen production, and storage technologies using the Shapley-value payoff mechanism. Simulation results indicate that hydrogen blending up to 20% maintains operational stability and positive economic performance, with manageable increases in operational cost. Emissions reductions are realised when blending is combined with carbon capture and storage (CCS) deployment or through higher CO2 pricing. Full hydrogen conversion (100%) increases peak electricity supply requirements by approximately 30% relative to low-blending scenarios due to electrolysis-driven load expansion and conversion losses. Sensitivity analysis shows that carbon pricing significantly reduces system emissions while moderately increasing hydrogen marginal costs and affecting Net Present Value. Under coordinated infrastructure planning, Net Present Value increases with hydrogen penetration, with full hydrogen deployment delivering the highest long-term system value. The findings demonstrate that hydrogen blending represents a viable transitional pathway when supported by integrated infrastructure development, CCS deployment, and appropriate carbon pricing, enabling a phased progression towards Great Britain’s 2050 net-zero target.

Source: Energies

DOI: 10.3390/en19092018

Authors: Mohamed Abuella, Adib Allahham, Sara Louise Walker

Institutions: Northumbria University, University of Birmingham

Language: English

Topic: Integrated Energy Systems Optimization

Subfield: Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Industry, innovation and infrastructure, Climate action, Affordable and clean energy

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,137