Multi-timescale optimal configuration of electro-hydrogen coupled system: A cost-effective and efficient solution for flexible operation of high penetration renewable energy distribution networks

Against the backdrop of the global energy transition and the large-scale development of renewable energy, high-penetration distributed PV integration increases distribution network dispatch complexity and exacerbates conflicts between voltage stability and long-term energy balance. Electro-hydrogen coupling has emerged as a key technological pathway to address these challenges due to its combined capabilities for cross-cycle energy storage and flexible regulation. Focusing on a multi-timescale optimal configuration framework, this paper proposes a multi-timescale optimal configuration method for electro-hydrogen coupled distribution networks considering voltage stability and economic efficiency. It designs a multi-objective model integrating voltage stability (deviation, fluctuation, violation penalties) and full-life-cycle economy, generates uncertainty scenarios via non-zero masking and dual-noise model, and solves with dynamic inertia weight multi-objective PSO. Results of comparative validation across four typical scenarios shows that the Three-Level Pure Hydrogen Storage system can achieve nearly 100% local renewable energy consumption and reduces life-cycle cost by approximately 28.8% compared to the Electro-Hydrogen Hybrid Storage system. Even under uncertainty scenarios with stochastic source-load fluctuations, this system maintains good voltage stability and economic robustness, effectively balancing short-term voltage support and long-term energy transfer needs. This research provides a feasible technical solution and theoretical support for high-penetration renewable energy integration and long-term stable operation in distribution networks.