Abstract
This paper discusses the economic operation strategy of the energy hub, which is being established in South Korea. The energy hub has five energy conversion devices: a turbo expander generator, a normal fuel cell, a fuel cell with a hydrogen outlet, a small-scale combined heat and power device, and a photovoltaic device. We are developing the most economically beneficial operation strategy for the operators who own the hub, without making any systematic improvements to the energy market. First, sixteen conversion efficiency matrices can be achieved by turning each device (except the PV) on or off. Next, even the same energy must be divided into different energy flows according to price. The energy flow is controlled to obtain the maximum profit, considering the internal load of the energy hub and the price fluctuations of the energy market. Using our operating strategy, the return on investment period is approximately 9.9 years, which is three years shorter than that without the operating strategy.
Highlights
The challenging objective of net-zero greenhouse gases [1] and the difficulties in maintaining a balance between the electrical energy supply and demand with the expansion of renewable energy sources [2] have resulted in the constrain of only using electricity in a “smart grid” [3,4,5]
These contact points between the energy sources form an energy hub, and the use of an energy hub occurs in a smart energy system [10], an integrated energy system [11], or sector coupling [12]
In addition to the system marginal price (SMP), electricity can be sold by receiving a renewable energy certificate (REC) when selling the electrical energy generated by renewable energy sources
Summary
The challenging objective of net-zero greenhouse gases [1] and the difficulties in maintaining a balance between the electrical energy supply and demand with the expansion of renewable energy sources [2] have resulted in the constrain of only using electricity in a “smart grid” [3,4,5]. Integrated operation of various energy sources is a method of operating an entire energy grid in an integrated manner by establishing contact points between the grids (e.g., electrical, gas, heat, and hydrogen) and converting the energy sources [9]. These contact points between the energy sources form an energy hub, and the use of an energy hub occurs in a smart energy system [10], an integrated energy system [11], or sector coupling [12].
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