Combined analysis of electricity and heat networks

TLDR

Energy supply systems are usually considered as separate sub-systems, but Combined Heat and Power units, heat pumps, and electric boilers link electricity and heat networks. The study developed two combined analysis methods to evaluate electricity and heat networks as an integrated whole. The methods—decomposed and integrated electrical‑hydraulic‑thermal calculation techniques—use power flow and simple optimal dispatch models of electrical, hydraulic, and thermal circuits, focusing on CHP units and circulation pumps. A Barry Island case study showed that both electricity and heat demands were met in a self‑sufficient system using CHP units, and the integrated method required fewer iterations than the decomposed method.

Abstract

Energy supply systems are usually considered as individual sub-systems with separate energy vectors. However, the use of Combined Heat and Power (CHP) units, heat pumps and electric boilers creates linkages between electricity and heat networks. Two combined analysis methods were developed to investigate the performance of electricity and heat networks as an integrated whole. These two methods were the decomposed and integrated electrical-hydraulic-thermal calculation techniques in the forms of power flow and simple optimal dispatch. Both methods were based on models of the electrical network, hydraulic and thermal circuits, and the coupling components, focusing on CHP units and circulation pumps. A case study of Barry Island electricity and district heating networks was conducted, showing how both electrical and heat demand in a self-sufficient system (no interconnection with external systems) were met using CHP units. The comparison showed that the integrated method requires less iteration than the decomposed method.