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As natural disasters and abnormal weather phenomena continue to cause damage to power systems, resilience has become a critical characteristic for future power grids. While microgrids (MGs) have been studied as a potential source of resilience, previous research has mainly focused on operational strategies to improve the resilience of existing MGs. This study proposes a planning approach for a gas-electric-based integrated multi-energy system that includes a microgrid to enhance the power grid's resilience against serious failures. The approach includes an operational process to achieve a specific resiliency level at the lower level, and a bi-level optimization method that considers cost effects at the upper level. The proposed method uses mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) to establish the operational process based on the required resilience level and determine the optimal location for each asset in the microgrid. The effectiveness of the proposed method is evaluated using the IEEE 33 Bus test system in various severe failure scenarios. The results demonstrate that the proposed planning approach can effectively enhance the resilience of power grids through the integration of microgrids, and the bi-level optimization method can provide an optimal solution while considering the cost-effectiveness of the microgrid.

As the hydrogen economy recently gains momentum, the Korean government is actively encouraging Independent Power Producers (IPPs) to leverage hydrogen energy. The surging uncertainties in the power market, precipitated by the rapid increase in renewable energy sources (RES), necessitates IPPs to formulate a new benefit structure that utilizes green hydrogen. However, the current economic challenges associated with the operation of RES linked to water electrolysis result in diminished participation from IPPs. In response, the Korean government is planning to implement the Clean Hydrogen Portfolio Standard (CHPS), which requires clean hydrogen power generation and offers corresponding Fixed Premium (FP) subsidies. In this paper, we incrementally increase the FP for RES linked to electrolyzers (ELZ) and derive a marginal fixed premium (FPmar). This method initiates a shift towards higher economic feasibility compared to the traditional benefit structure of power trading-based RES. We suggest a green hydrogen-based business model (BM) that synergizes hydropower with water electrolysis and calculate a suitable CHPS subsidy to ensure the economic feasibility of this BM. In conclusion, this paper equips IPPs operating hydropower with the capability to evaluate the adequacy of the government-provided FP for the economical operation of a hydropower plant linked to water electrolysis. Furthermore, it provides policymakers with the framework to make informed decisions regarding the necessary FPmarto stimulate IPPs’ participation.

In S. Korea, high-density renewable and high-density load areas are separate. This separation has led to increased transmission constraints. As both Renewable Energy Source (RES) penetration and power demand simultaneously increase, RES saturation occurs. This phenomenon reduces both the benefits of power transactions and the acceptance of RES. Addressing this issue requires actions from Independent Power Producers (IPP) and policymakers. This paper suggests a Virtual Clean Hydrogen Plant (VCHP) platform design that consolidates the Photovoltaic (PV) energy from high-density renewable areas into a single power plant. The platform converts excess energy, generated by PV due to transmission constraints, into hydrogen and supplies it to the high-density load areas. The South Korean government plans to introduce a Clean Hydrogen Portfolio Standard (CHPS), which offers a fixed premium (FP) to private power generators that provide power through clean hydrogen. Consequently, the proposed benefit structure of the VCHP platform includes an FP, settled through CHPS. This paper's design and operation algorithm for the VCHP platform incorporates stochastic programming to analyze PV operation and deterministic optimization for the optimal scheduling of Fuel Cells (FC) that provide power and heat to high-density load areas. The simulation results demonstrate that the minimum subsidy required for CHPS benefits varies depending on how PV-coupled P2G technology is utilized. Specifically, engaging in net metering with VCHP over the course of one month can establish a cost-effective benefit structure, verified to require a subsidy ranging from a minimum of 0.2036 $/kWh to a maximum of 0.2416 $/kWh.

In this paper, the role of Power to Gas (P2G) technology in securing contributions from policy and economic perspectives is explored. The potential of P2G-linked energy systems to enhance the output of uncontrollable Renewable Energy Sources (RES) is examined, thereby ensuring more effective power rates from RES and achieving policy-mandated clean hydrogen production targets. From the perspective of policymakers, the integration of P2G technology represents a significant advancement toward achieving policy objectives. Furthermore, this paper investigates how new business models leveraging P2G technology can develop innovative benefit structures and strengthen economic contributions. The feasibility of P2G integration is analyzed from the viewpoints of policymakers, who aim to achieve policy goals, and Energy eXchange Aggregators (EXA), the investment entities responsible for the practical implementation of P2G technology. The research findings confirm that as the capacity of RES increases, the performance of P2G technology significantly improves. Compared to systems not utilizing P2G, the application of P2G technology results in an increase of up to 25% in the maximum effective power rate from RES and a numerical improvement of approximately 22% in the benefits derived from RES. While this paper focuses on energy policy factors in South Korea, its findings and implications can be extended to a global context, assuming a mandatory increase in the share of clean hydrogen production and RES globally in the future.