Optimal place, size, and operation of combined heat and power in multi carrier energy networks considering network reliability, power loss, and voltage profile

TLDR

Distributed energy resources play a substantial role in today’s electrical distribution networks, and CHP exemplifies technologies that integrate gas and electricity infrastructures. The study aims to optimally plan the placement and sizing of CHPs at arbitrary nodes in a combined electrical and natural gas network. An energy‑hub model is used to compute bus‑level consumption and costs, and a genetic algorithm coupled with CPLEX optimizes CHP placement and sizing on a 33‑bus radial system that includes electrical, gas, wind, and storage elements while accounting for operation costs, power loss, reliability, and voltage penalties. Optimal CHP planning cuts total costs by 9.4 %, operation costs by 10.8 %, network reliability by 15.4 %, power loss by 16.8 %, and voltage penalty by 10.1 %, and demonstrates effective operation of the resulting energy hubs at the selected nodes.

Abstract

Distributed energy resources play a substantial role in today's electrical distribution networks. Combined heat and power (CHP) is a great example of the technologies with potential of combining different energy infrastructures such as gas and electricity. In this study, optimal planning (placing and sizing) of CHPs at arbitrary nodes within a system containing an electrical and natural gas network is considered. Energy hub (EH) approach is employed in order to calculate the energy consumption (operation) of each bus along with its relevant costs. CHP is optimally planned (placed and sized) at the network by considering the operation costs, power loss, network reliability, and voltage penalty. Simulation is carried out on a 33 bus radial distribution system containing electrical and gas networks. The network is integrated by wind and energy storage in some electrical buses. Genetic algorithm of Matlab and Cplex solver of GAMS are used to solve the optimisation problem. The results show that optimal planning of the CHPs reduces total costs, operation costs, network reliability, power loss, and voltage penalty by 9.4, 10.8, 15.4, 16.8, and 10.1%, respectively. The results also show operation of the formed EHs at the arbitrary nodes with optimal planning of the CHPs.