Operation Optimization of Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle-to-Grid in Alberta by Mixed Integer Linear Programming

Abstract

Hydrogen is expected to play a vital role in decarbonizing the transportation sector, especially heavy-duty trucks due to the short fuelling time and high gravimetric energy density. These fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) can be employed as mobile electricity generators to support grid peak shaving which can be both economically and environmentally desirable. This study uses a mixed integer linear programming (MILP) model to simulate a dedicated vehicle-to-grid (V2G) refuelling station that allows FCEVs to use their onboard fuel cells to supply electricity to the grid by consuming hydrogen that is produced by an on-site electrolyzer or from the hydrogen fuel market. The simulation based on data in Alberta shows a considerable potential of FCEV-to-grid (FCEV2G) to generate profit and reduce carbon emissions. When the maximum number of grid connected vehicles is 4 or more, the station provides electricity that is cleaner than grid electricity and generates positive profits. This shows that FCEV2G can be a solution to reduce the variation and carbon intensity of the electricity in Alberta.