Energy management in citizen energy communities: A flexibility-constrained robust optimization approach considering prosumers comfort

Abstract

Citizen Energy Communities (CECs) have emerged as a promising solution with numerous benefits for society. CECs have contributed to a higher adoption rate of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs). However, the variable power generation of DERs is a critical challenge, resulting in an increase in the ramp rate of the system's net load. To address this challenge, this paper introduces a unique robust optimization model that utilizes the flexibility constraint to limit the ramp rate of power trading CECs with the upstream grid and assesses the impact of flexibility limits on energy costs. Moreover, two primary goals of CECs are to ensure the prosumer's comfort, which includes thermal comfort, and to achieve self-sufficiency in their energy supply. In this context, this paper uses the Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) index to calculate the thermal comfort of prosumers. Additionally, a sensitivity analysis has been conducted on CECs self-sufficiency. Moreover, a robust optimization approach is utilized to consider the uncertainty in upstream energy prices. The results indicate that the Community Energy Storage (CES) leads to a 34.6% reduction in operation cost. Additionally, the inclusion of CES in CECs allows the Energy Community Manager (ECM) to reduce curtailment power to prosumers by 602.98 kW during their engagement in the self-sufficiency program.