Optimal operation scheduling of mobile hydrogen charging stations: A mathematical optimization model and heuristic approach

Abstract

Demand for hydrogen vehicles is steadily increasing due to sustainable development and strengthening of policies to support the hydrogen industry. However, due to the lack of hydrogen charging infrastructure, continuous operation is limited, which is an obstacle to the expansion of the hydrogen car market. To solve this problem, steady expansion of fixed hydrogen charging stations (HCSs) is underway, but the use of mobile hydrogen charging stations (MHCSs) is also actively considered. MHCSs can compensate for the shortcomings of expanding charging infrastructure due to the establishment cost of fixed HCSs and the selection of sites and contribute to resolving hydrogen charging blind spots. In this study, optimal operation of a number of MHCSs was conducted. To derive the optimal operation schedule, a mathematical optimization model and an alternative solution approach, a Multiple Vehicle and Multiple Trip Routing Algorithm for Selective Use and Split Service (MVMTRA-SUSS) was developed. Case study, sensitivity analysis, and numerical experiments have verified the practical applicability of the proposed model.