A distributionally robust optimization approach for optimal load dispatch of energy hub considering multiple energy storage units and demand response programs

Abstract

The coupling relationship among various energy sources has been consistently reinforced by the advancement of the energy Internet. In the context of modeling multi-energy systems, the energy hub (EH) represents a significant and valuable approach. To attain optimal operation of the EH, this study proposes an optimal load dispatch model for a system that incorporates a combined heat and power (CHP) unit, gas boiler (GB), electric chiller (EC), absorption chiller (AC), heat energy storage (HES) unit, and electrical energy storage (EES) unit. A two-stage distributionally robust optimization (DRO) method that is driven by data is employed to address the uncertainties of electricity prices. Additionally, the proposed two-stage DRO model is effectively solved through the utilization of the column and constraint generation (C&CG) algorithm. Three cases are discussed in the paper with various energy storage units and demand response (DR) settings. The simulation results show that by deploying energy storage units and participating in DR projects, the EH system can reduce the total costs by 2.56 % and 10 %, respectively. Meanwhile, simulation results reveal that the proposed data-driven DRO model can achieve a compromise between the economy and robustness of the scheduling model compared with stochastic optimization (SO) and robust optimization (RO) methods. The simulation results illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed model for ensuring the economical and efficient operation of the system in the face of electricity price uncertainties.