Generalized Nash equilibrium-based optimal configuration of hydrogen energy storage in island distribution networks considering economy, resilience, and low-carbon

Island distribution networks suffer from weak external support, difficulties in renewable energy integration, high carbon emissions, and vulnerability to extreme disasters. To address these challenges, this study proposes an optimal hydrogen energy storage (HES) configuration method that balances economic performance, resilience, and low-carbon operation. The research develops physics-based models of electrolyzers, hydrogen storage tanks, and fuel cells, and designs operating strategies for both normal and extreme scenarios to capture renewable utilization, emergency supply capability, and Carbon emission reduction capacity. On this basis, a tri-objective optimization framework is constructed using generalized Nash equilibrium (GNE) theory, where device capacities are modeled as independent strategic variables and the three objectives are defined as utility functions of different players. The model is solved using a mathematical program with equilibrium constraints (MPEC), which transforms each objective into KKT conditions and enables stable, interpretable solutions under coupled physical and resource constraints. Case studies on a typical coastal island demonstrate that, compared with electrochemical storage, HES achieves higher renewable absorption and carbon reduction benefits under normal operation, while significantly enhancing resilience during extreme events. Results also reveal nonlinear couplings and high sensitivity among the three objectives, where small capacity adjustments lead to substantial fluctuations in performance. The findings confirm that the proposed GNE-based method effectively captures complex multi-objective interactions, avoids imbalanced configurations caused by traditional weighted or hierarchical approaches, and provides theoretical and practical guidance for resilient and low-carbon development of island distribution networks.