Decomposed particle swarm optimization for optimal scheduling in energy hub considering battery lifetime

Abstract

The energy hub has become pivotal in optimizing multi-carrier energy systems, aiming to enhance the flexibility and efficiency of the overall infrastructure. By incorporating energy storage within these hubs, it becomes feasible to dynamically coordinate the balance between energy generation and consumption. This coordination considers diverse energy pricing structures and local renewable energy generation, leading to substantial reductions in energy expenditures. To further amplify the long-term utilization of batteries, it is essential to account for the associated costs related to their lifespan during the optimization process. Nonetheless, optimizing the operation of an interconnected energy hub system while factoring in battery lifespan introduces a complex challenge, encompassing various limitations, spanning multiple time frames, and involving non-convex aspects. This article introduces an inventive strategy termed the “decomposition technique,” which entails amalgamating particle swarm optimization with a numerical approach. By disassembling the complex optimization predicament into more manageable sub-problems, particularly the organization of storage and other elements within the energy hub system, this approach capitalizes on the individual strengths of particle swarm optimization and the interior point method. To assess the efficacy of this proposed method, it is applied across various scenarios, encompassing a two-hub system and a three-hub system spanning a 24-h timeframe. Through comparison with analytical methods, the results obtained affirm the technique's capability to converge remarkably close to the global minimum. Moreover, the computational efficiency of this approach enables its online implementation, with a reduced time horizon, and ensures real-time optimization. The success of this approach opens up potential applications in diverse energy hub systems and emphasizes its adaptability and scalability. Using the strengths of particle swarm optimization and the interior point method, this technique provides an effective solution for optimizing energy hub systems while considering battery lifetime costs. It enables near-optimal performance while overcoming limitations related to convergence and computation time. The findings of this research contribute to the broader field of energy optimization and pave the way for more efficient and sustainable energy management strategies. The decomposition technique yielded a significant 12% reduction in total energy cost compared to conventional particle swarm optimization. In the three-hub system, the decomposition technique showcased a 15% increase in computational efficiency, affirming its adaptability for larger systems. Considering battery lifetime costs, excluding them led to a 6% boost in energy savings but resulted in a 2% rise in overall system cost, emphasizing the need for a balanced optimization approach.