As the transition towards a sustainable energy system gains momentum, the concept of energy hubs has emerged as a promising solution to make the existing energy system more efficient. This thesis aims to investigate the contribution of energy hubs to network management in the Dutch energy system. The research questions focus on identifying the key components and objectives of energy hubs, understanding the roles and interests of stakeholders involved, assessing the effectiveness of energy hubs in achieving policy goals, and exploring the opportunities and threats they present to the Distribution System Operator (DSO).

The study employs a mixed-methods approach, combining theoretical analysis, stakeholder interviews, SWOT analysis, and case studies. Through a comprehensive literature review, a holistic understanding of energy hubs is established, providing a foundation for further analysis. Stakeholder interviews offer insights into the perspectives and interests of various actors in the energy sector, shedding light on the roles they play and the potential benefits of energy hubs.

The thesis analyses the theoretical and practical value of energy hubs, considering their potential to optimise network capacity, enhance renewable energy integration, and improve system flexibility. SWOT analysis allows for a thorough examination of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats associated with energy hubs. The analysis of case study projects further enriches the findings by providing real-world examples and highlighting their applicability in practice.

The results demonstrate that energy hubs have the potential to contribute significantly to network management, offering benefits such as reduced grid congestion, increased renewable energy utilisation, and enhanced collaboration among stakeholders. However, limitations exist, including the need for a clear definition, standardised legal procedures, and a comprehensive understanding of the specific conditions under which energy hubs are most suitable.

This thesis contributes to the existing knowledge on energy hubs and their impact on network management. It offers a comprehensive analysis of their key components, stakeholder dynamics, policy implications, and practical considerations. The research findings provide valuable insights for both academia and industry, informing future research directions and aiding DSOs in harnessing the full potential of energy hubs to facilitate the transition towards a sustainable and resilient energy system.

This thesis work investigates and provides an analysis of the potential benefits of an electricity - gas - heat integrated energy system, putting extra focus on the waste heat potential from fuel cells and electrolysers. The main focus is given to the low-voltage distribution grid level, and a case study is presented for the Drechtsteden subnetwork operated by Stedin, which, together with the IEPG department at TU Delft, is the promoter of this study. The novelty items of this work consist in the analysis of the waste heat potential of hydrogen conversion assets connected to a district heating network along with the inclusion of electricity and hydrogen markets, all in the contest of an energy system optimization.

The integration between these three energy sectors is assumed to be chiefly driven by the operation of electrolysers and fuel cells. Two other main assumptions set the base for this work: first, the gas sector is assumed to be entirely repurposed to operate with hydrogen and, secondly, the waste heat coming from fuel cells and electrolysers is assumed to be the main thermal energy input of a district heating network. An electricity and a hydrogen market have also been modelled to simulate the interaction of this region with the external grid.
The analysis is carried out by means of a linear optimization algorithm coded using oemof, an open source python package for multi-energy system modelling and optimization. Most of the input data (i.e. energy demand and generation profiles) comes from the Integrale Ifrastructuurverkenning 2030-2050 study from TenneT, Gasunie and the Dutch DSOs, which has been regionalized for the Drechsteden region is order to optimize the investments on the main energy assets (transformers, hydrogen substations, electrolysers, fuel cells, batteries) needed to run the future energy system.

An optimal system configuration is also calculated for a "reinforcement" scenario, in which energy sectors remain independent, and a comparison with the system integration scenario is presented. The overall system costs appear to be only about 5% lower for the system integration scenario. The costs imputable to assets is higher with system integration due to the addition of expensive hydrogen conversion assets, but, in this scenario, the operation on the energy market (driven chiefly by hydrogen exports) is more advantageous.
Finally, a sensitivity analysis on the share of heat demand to be satisfied by district heating and on the price of batteries is carried out, along with an investigation on the effect of adding thermal storage to the system.