Collaborative optimization for multiple energy stations in distributed energy network based on electricity and heat interchanges

Highlights: • Model energy hub considering controllable energy distribution coefficients and non-linear factors. • Propose a collaborative optimization model for multiple distributed energy stations. • Obtain Pareto optimization frontiers considering PESR, ATCSR and CDERR. • Compare collaborative operation with independent operation. • Assess the benefits achieved by operation scheduling of energy interchanges. Distributed energy network (DEN), which connects distributed energy systems in multiple energy stations through energy interchanges, effectively shares the available energy and ensures dynamic balances between energy supplies and demands. However, the comprehensive coordination of multiple energy stations increases the difficulty of DEN planning and energy scheduling. Based on the concept of energy hub, a collaborative optimization model for determining the optimal capacities and operation scheduling of multiple energy stations is proposed to improve the energy, economic, and environment performances of DEN. A case was studied to verify the effectiveness of the proposed model. Compared with the independent optimization of energy stations, the collaborative optimization increases primary energy saving ratio by 5.3%, annual total cost saving rate by 5.1%, and carbon dioxide emission reduction ratio by 1.1%, respectively. The collaboration reduces the total power output of gas turbines by 7.6%, thus, increasing the operation time in full load to improve its average efficiency. The interchanges between energy stations make excess heat and electricity reduce by 16.5% and 1.1%, respectively, demonstrating that the collaborative optimization is an effective method for DEN system designs and energy managements to achieve potential benefits.