Modelling of integrated multi-energy systems: Drivers, requirements, and opportunities

There is growing recognition that decarbonisation of existing uses of electricity is only `part of the story' and that closer attention needs to be given to demand for energy in heating or cooling and in transport, and to all the energy vectors and infrastructures that supply the end-use demand. In this respect, concepts such as `multi-energy systems' (MES) have been put forward and are gaining increasing momentum, with the aim of identifying how multiple energy systems that have been traditionally operated, planned and regulated in independent silos can be integrated to improve their collective technical, economic, and environmental performance. This paper addresses the need for modelling of MES which is capable of assessing interactions between different sectors and the energy vectors they are concerned with, so as to bring out the benefits and potential unforeseen or undesired drawbacks arising from energy systems integration. Drivers for MES modelling and the needs of different users of models are discussed, along with some of the practicalities of such modelling, including the choices to be made in respect of spatial and temporal dimensions, what these models might be used to quantify, and how they may be framed mathematically. Examples of existing MES models and tools and their capabilities, as well as of studies in which such models have been used in the authors' own research, are provided to illustrate the general concepts discussed. Finally, challenges, opportunities and recommendations are summarised for the engagement of modellers in developing a new range of analytical capabilities that are needed to deal with the complexity of MES.

[1]  Leslie G. Fishbone,et al.  Markal, a linear‐programming model for energy systems analysis: Technical description of the bnl version , 1981 .

[2]  M. Shahidehpour,et al.  Security-Constrained Unit Commitment With Natural Gas Transmission Constraints , 2009, IEEE Transactions on Power Systems.

[3]  Mohammad E. Khodayar,et al.  Resilient Operation of Multiple Energy Carrier Microgrids , 2015, IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid.

[4]  Will McDowall,et al.  Energy scenario choices: Insights from a retrospective review of UK energy futures , 2016 .

[5]  Paul Upham,et al.  Original research articleEnergy model, boundary object and societal lens: 35 years of the MARKAL model in the UK , 2014 .

[6]  Goran Strbac,et al.  Building a Resilient UK Energy System , 2011 .

[7]  Hui Li,et al.  Increasing the Flexibility of Combined Heat and Power for Wind Power Integration in China: Modeling and Implications , 2015, IEEE Transactions on Power Systems.

[8]  Pierluigi Mancarella,et al.  Unified Unit Commitment Formulation and Fast Multi-Service LP Model for Flexibility Evaluation in Sustainable Power Systems , 2016, IEEE Transactions on Sustainable Energy.

[9]  Brian Ó Gallachóir,et al.  Soft-linking of a power systems model to an energy systems model , 2012 .

[10]  Enrico Carpaneto,et al.  Cogeneration Planning under Uncertainty. Part I: Multiple Time Frame Formulation , 2011 .

[11]  J. R. San Cristóbal,et al.  Investment criteria for the selection of cogeneration plants¿a state of the art review , 2006 .

[12]  Pierluigi Mancarella,et al.  Influence of extreme weather and climate change on the resilience of power systems: Impacts and possible mitigation strategies , 2015 .

[13]  Ruzhu Wang,et al.  A review of available technologies for seasonal thermal energy storage , 2014 .

[14]  Peter Lund,et al.  Urban energy systems with smart multi-carrier energy networks and renewable energy generation , 2012 .

[15]  Christos S. Ioakimidis,et al.  On the planning and analysis of Integrated Community Energy Systems: A review and survey of available tools , 2011 .

[16]  Alfredo Vaccaro,et al.  Multiple-Energy Carriers: Modeling of Production, Delivery, and Consumption , 2011, Proceedings of the IEEE.

[17]  Ali Reza Seifi,et al.  An Integrated Steady-State Operation Assessment of Electrical, Natural Gas, and District Heating Networks , 2016, IEEE Transactions on Power Systems.

[18]  Morten Boje Blarke,et al.  Intermittency-friendly and high-efficiency cogeneration: Operational optimisation of cogeneration with compression heat pump, flue gas heat recovery, and intermediate cold storage , 2011 .

[19]  Michael H. Dworkin,et al.  The Energy Trilemma in the Green Mountain State: An Analysis of Vermont's Energy Challenges and Policy Options , 2009 .

[20]  Alastair R. Buckley,et al.  A review of energy systems models in the UK: Prevalent usage and categorisation , 2016 .

[21]  Wassily Leontief.  Input-Output Economics , 1966 .

[22]  Maryse Labriet,et al.  ETSAP-TIAM: the TIMES integrated assessment model Part I: Model structure , 2008, Comput. Manag. Sci..

[23]  Antero Miguel Lopes Moreira da Silva.  Energy Planning with Electricity Storage and Sustainable Mobility: The Study of an Isolated System , 2013 .

[24]  Pierluigi Mancarella,et al.  Reliability and Risk Assessment of Post-Contingency Demand Response in Smart Distribution Networks , 2016 .

[25]  J. H. Horlock,et al.  Cogeneration--Combined Heat and Power (Chp): Thermodynamics and Economics , 1987 .

[26]  R. D. Groot,et al.  A typology for the classification, description and valuation of ecosystem functions, goods and services , 2002 .

[27]  Bri-Mathias Hodge,et al.  Experiences integrating transmission and distribution simulations for DERs with the Integrated Grid Modeling System (IGMS) , 2016, 2016 Power Systems Computation Conference (PSCC).

[28]  Pierluigi Mancarella,et al.  Automated Demand Response From Home Energy Management System Under Dynamic Pricing and Power and Comfort Constraints , 2015, IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid.

[29]  Pierluigi Mancarella,et al.  Optimization under uncertainty of thermal storage-based flexible demand response with quantification of residential users' discomfort , 2015, 2016 IEEE Power and Energy Society General Meeting (PESGM).

[30]  Jianzhong Wu,et al.  Role of power-to-gas in an integrated gas and electricity system in Great Britain , 2015 .

[31]  Pierluigi Mancarella,et al.  Integrated Modeling and Assessment of the Operational Impact of Power-to-Gas (P2G) on Electrical and Gas Transmission Networks , 2015, IEEE Transactions on Sustainable Energy.

[32]  Pierluigi Mancarella,et al.  Modelling and assessment of business cases for smart multi-energy districts , 2016, 2016 Power Systems Computation Conference (PSCC).

[33]  Pierluigi Mancarella,et al.  Integrated Electrical and Gas Network Flexibility Assessment in Low-Carbon Multi-Energy Systems , 2016, IEEE Transactions on Sustainable Energy.

[34]  Mark Jennings,et al.  A review of urban energy system models: Approaches, challenges and opportunities , 2012 .

[35]  Jianzhong Wu,et al.  Operating Strategies for a GB Integrated Gas and Electricity Network Considering the Uncertainty in Wind Power Forecasts , 2014, IEEE Transactions on Sustainable Energy.

[36]  G. Andersson,et al.  Towards multi-source multi-product energy systems , 2007 .

[37]  Brian Vad Mathiesen,et al.  A review of computer tools for analysing the integration of renewable energy into various energy systems , 2010 .

[38]  P. Mancarella,et al.  Techno-economic and business case assessment of low carbon technologies in distributed multi-energy systems , 2016 .

[39]  Pierluigi Mancarella,et al.  The Grid: Stronger, Bigger, Smarter?: Presenting a Conceptual Framework of Power System Resilience , 2015, IEEE Power and Energy Magazine.

[40]  Jan Carmeliet,et al.  Optimization framework for distributed energy systems with integrated electrical grid constraints , 2016 .

[41]  Pierluigi Mancarella,et al.  Integrated electricity and heat active network management , 2016, 2016 Power Systems Computation Conference (PSCC).

[42]  Pierluigi Mancarella,et al.  Assessing the benefits of coordinated operation of aggregated distributed Multi-energy Generation , 2016, 2016 Power Systems Computation Conference (PSCC).

[43]  Jayakrishnan Radhakrishna Pillai,et al.  Comparative analysis of hourly and dynamic power balancing models for validating future energy scena , 2011 .

[44]  P. Mancarella,et al.  Stochastic control and real options valuation of thermal storage-enabled demand response from flexible district energy systems , 2015 .

[45]  Pierluigi Mancarella,et al.  High resolution modelling of multi- 1 energy domestic demand profiles 2 , 2015 .

[46]  C. Canizares,et al.  Optimal Energy Flow of integrated energy systems with hydrogen economy considerations , 2007, 2007 iREP Symposium - Bulk Power System Dynamics and Control - VII. Revitalizing Operational Reliability.

[47]  Pierluigi Mancarella.  Cogeneration systems with electric heat pumps: Energy-shifting properties and equivalent plant modelling , 2009 .

[48]  Pierluigi Mancarella,et al.  Distributed multi-generation: A comprehensive view , 2009 .

[49]  T. J. Overbye.  Engineering resilient cyber-physical systems , 2012, 2012 IEEE Power and Energy Society General Meeting.

[50]  Antonio Piacentino,et al.  A comprehensive tool for efficient design and operation of polygeneration-based energy μgrids serving a cluster of buildings. Part II: Analysis of the applicative potential , 2013 .

[51]  Antonello Monti,et al.  MESCOS - A Multienergy System Cosimulator for City District Energy Systems , 2014, IEEE Transactions on Industrial Informatics.

[52]  E. A. Martinez Cesena,et al.  Contribution of Microgrids to distribution network reliability , 2015, 2015 IEEE Eindhoven PowerTech.

[53]  Enrico Carpaneto,et al.  Cogeneration planning under uncertainty. Part II: Decision theory-based assessment of planning alternatives , 2011 .

[54]  Tom Houghton,et al.  An investment led approach to analysing the hydrogen energy economy in the UK , 2007 .

[55]  Detlef Stolten,et al.  Power to Gas: Technological Overview, Systems Analysis and Economic Assessment , 2015 .

[56]  Mohammad Shahidehpour,et al.  Impact of Natural Gas Infrastructure on Electric Power Systems , 2005, Proceedings of the IEEE.

[57]  Brian Vad Mathiesen,et al.  Comparative analyses of seven technologies to facilitate the integration of fluctuating renewable energy sources , 2009 .

[58]  P. Mancarella,et al.  Decentralized Participation of Flexible Demand in Electricity Markets—Part II: Application With Electric Vehicles and Heat Pump Systems , 2013, IEEE Transactions on Power Systems.

[59]  François Maréchal,et al.  EnerGis: A geographical information based system for the evaluation of integrated energy conversion systems in urban areas , 2008 .

[60]  Anastasios I. Dounis,et al.  Intelligent demand side energy management system for autonomous polygeneration microgrids , 2013 .

[61]  G. Chicco,et al.  From cogeneration to trigeneration: profitable alternatives in a competitive market , 2006, IEEE Transactions on Energy Conversion.

[62]  Pierluigi Mancarella,et al.  Real-Time Demand Response From Energy Shifting in Distributed Multi-Generation , 2013, IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid.

[63]  N. Shah,et al.  Urban Energy Systems : An Integrated Approach , 2013 .

[64]  Stefano Bracco,et al.  The University of Genoa smart polygeneration microgrid test-bed facility: The overall system, the technologies and the research challenges , 2013 .

[65]  Goran Andersson,et al.  On Decisive Storage Parameters for Minimizing Energy Supply Costs in Multicarrier Energy Systems , 2014, IEEE Transactions on Sustainable Energy.

[66]  G. Andersson,et al.  Energy hubs for the future , 2007, IEEE Power and Energy Magazine.

[67]  Enrico Fabrizio,et al.  A model to design and optimize multi-energy systems in buildings at the design concept stage , 2010 .

[68]  Lizhong Xu,et al.  A Multi Time-Scale and Multi Energy-Type Coordinated Microgrid Scheduling Solution—Part II: Optimization Algorithm and Case Studies , 2015, IEEE Transactions on Power Systems.

[69]  Marko Aunedi,et al.  Smart control for minimizing distribution network reinforcement cost due to electrification , 2013 .

[70]  K. N. Dollman,et al.  - 1 , 1743 .

[71]  Reinhard Madlener,et al.  Development of cogeneration in Germany: A mean-variance portfolio analysis of individual technology , 2011 .

[72]  Hans Ivar Skjelbred,et al.  eTransport: Investment planning in energy supply systems with multiple energy carriers , 2007 .

[73]  Goran Andersson,et al.  Modeling and design of future multi‐energy generation and transmission systems , 2010 .

[74]  David J. C. MacKay.  Sustainable Energy - Without the Hot Air , 2008 .

[75]  Adam Hawkes,et al.  Impacts of temporal precision in optimisation modelling of micro-combined heat and power , 2005 .

[76]  M. Shahidehpour,et al.  Interdependency of Natural Gas Network and Power System Security , 2008, IEEE Transactions on Power Systems.

[77]  Gerda Gahleitner.  Hydrogen from renewable electricity: An international review of power-to-gas pilot plants for stationary applications , 2013 .

[78]  Pierluigi Mancarella,et al.  Techno-economic and environmental modelling and optimization of flexible distributed multi-generation options , 2014 .

[79]  Goran Andersson,et al.  A greenfield approach to the future supply of multiple energy carriers , 2009, 2009 IEEE Power & Energy Society General Meeting.

[80]  Dejan Brkić,et al.  Systematic approach to natural gas usage for domestic heating in urban areas , 2008 .

[81]  Francis G.N. Li,et al.  Spatially explicit techno-economic optimisation modelling of UK heating futures , 2013 .

[82]  Jason Noble,et al.  Social Simulations: Improving Interdisciplinary Understanding of Scientific Positioning and Validity , 2010, J. Artif. Soc. Soc. Simul..

[83]  Pierluigi Mancarella,et al.  Active Distribution System Management: A Dual-Horizon Scheduling Framework for DSO/TSO Interface Under Uncertainty , 2017, IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid.

[84]  Manuel Welsch,et al.  Long-Term Energy Systems Planning : Accounting for Short-Term Variability and Flexibility , 2014 .

[85]  P. Mancarella,et al.  Assessing the impacts of extreme temperatures and water availability on the resilience of the GB power system , 2016, 2016 IEEE International Conference on Power System Technology (POWERCON).

[86]  Mark O'Malley,et al.  Energy Comes Together: The Integration of All Systems [Guest Editorial] , 2013 .

[87]  Mads R. Almassalkhi,et al.  Enabling city-scale multi-energy optimal dispatch with energy hubs , 2016, 2016 Power Systems Computation Conference (PSCC).

[88]  Ian A. Hiskens,et al.  Optimization Framework for the Analysis of Large-scale Networks of Energy Hubs , 2011 .

[89]  K.R.W Bell,et al.  Test system requirements for modelling future power systems , 2010, IEEE PES General Meeting.

[90]  Nilay Shah,et al.  Optimisation based design of a district energy system for an eco-town in the United Kingdom , 2011 .

[91]  George E. P. Box,et al.  Empirical Model‐Building and Response Surfaces , 1988 .

[92]  Pierluigi Mancarella.  From cogeneration to trigeneration: energy planning and evaluation in a competitive market framework , 2006 .

[93]  Abdullah Abusorrah,et al.  Coordination of Interdependent Natural Gas and Electricity Infrastructures for Firming the Variability of Wind Energy in Stochastic Day-Ahead Scheduling , 2015, IEEE Transactions on Sustainable Energy.

[94]  Pierluigi Mancarella,et al.  Assessment of the Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Cogeneration and Trigeneration Systems. Part II: Analysis Techniques and Application Cases , 2008 .

[95]  Ross Baldick,et al.  Research on Resilience of Power Systems Under Natural Disasters—A Review , 2016, IEEE Transactions on Power Systems.

[96]  Pierluigi Mancarella,et al.  Global and local emission impact assessment of distributed cogeneration systems with partial-load models , 2009 .

[97]  Morten Boje Blarke,et al.  The effectiveness of storage and relocation options in renewable energy systems , 2008 .

[98]  G. Andersson,et al.  Optimal Power Flow of Multiple Energy Carriers , 2007, IEEE Transactions on Power Systems.

[99]  Pierluigi Mancarella,et al.  Flexible Distributed Multienergy Generation System Expansion Planning Under Uncertainty , 2016, IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid.

[100]  R. O'Neill,et al.  The value of the world's ecosystem services and natural capital , 1997, Nature.

[101]  Luis Munuera.  Technology-rich economic modelling and analysis of residential heating systems for low carbon policy support , 2014 .

[102]  T. W. Gedra,et al.  Natural gas and electricity optimal power flow , 2003, 2003 IEEE PES Transmission and Distribution Conference and Exposition (IEEE Cat. No.03CH37495).

[103]  Abdullah Abusorrah,et al.  Optimal Expansion Planning of Energy Hub With Multiple Energy Infrastructures , 2015, IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid.

[104]  Pierluigi Mancarella,et al.  Matrix modelling of small-scale trigeneration systems and application to operational optimization , 2009 .

[105]  Pierluigi Mancarella,et al.  Storing renewables in the gas network: modelling of power-to-gas seasonal storage flexibility in low-carbon power systems , 2016 .

[106]  Aie.  World Energy Outlook 2015 , 2015 .

[107]  Goran Strbac,et al.  Multi-time period combined gas and electricity network optimisation , 2008 .

[108]  Jianzhong Wu,et al.  Combined gas and electricity network expansion planning , 2014 .

[109]  Heike Brand,et al.  Value of electric heat boilers and heat pumps for wind power integration , 2007 .

[110]  Pierluigi Mancarella,et al.  Assessment of the greenhouse gas emissions from cogeneration and trigeneration systems. Part I: Models and indicators , 2008 .

[111]  J. G. Slootweg,et al.  A review of multi-energy system planning and optimization tools for sustainable urban development , 2015, 2015 IEEE Eindhoven PowerTech.

[112]  G. Andersson,et al.  A modeling and optimization approach for multiple energy carrier power flow , 2005, 2005 IEEE Russia Power Tech.

[113]  Pierluigi Mancarella,et al.  Modelling, assessment and Sankey diagrams of integrated electricity-heat-gas networks in multi-vector district energy systems , 2016 .

[114]  Hongbin Sun,et al.  Interactions of district electricity and heating systems considering time-scale characteristics based on quasi-steady multi-energy flow , 2016 .

[115]  Liz Varga,et al.  Energy and complexity: New ways forward , 2015 .

[116]  K. R. Voorspools,et al.  The impact of the implementation of cogeneration in a given energetic context , 2002 .

[117]  Pierluigi Mancarella,et al.  Trigeneration Primary Energy Saving Evaluation for Energy Planning and Policy Development , 2007 .

[118]  Pierluigi Mancarella,et al.  Distributed multi-generation systems: energy models and analyses , 2009 .

[119]  Brian Vad Mathiesen,et al.  Energy system analysis of 100% renewable energy systems-The case of Denmark in years 2030 and 2050 , 2009 .

[120]  Mohammad Shahidehpour,et al.  Coordinated scheduling of electricity and natural gas infrastructures with a transient model for natural gas flow. , 2011, Chaos.

[121]  Boming Zhang,et al.  Transmission-Constrained Unit Commitment Considering Combined Electricity and District Heating Networks , 2016, IEEE Transactions on Sustainable Energy.

[122]  Florian Kienzle,et al.  Valuing Investments in Multi-Energy Conversion, Storage, and Demand-Side Management Systems Under Uncertainty , 2011, IEEE Transactions on Sustainable Energy.

[123]  Adam Hawkes,et al.  Energy systems modeling for twenty-first century energy challenges , 2014 .

[124]  Pierluigi Mancarella,et al.  Integrated energy and ancillary services provision in multi-energy systems , 2013, 2013 IREP Symposium Bulk Power System Dynamics and Control - IX Optimization, Security and Control of the Emerging Power Grid.

[125]  Pierluigi Mancarella,et al.  Strategic techno-economic assessment of heat network options for distributed energy systems in the UK , 2014 .

[126]  Pierluigi Mancarella,et al.  Multi-energy systems : An overview of concepts and evaluation models , 2015 .

[127]  Ivo Bouwmans,et al.  AGENT-BASED MODELLING OF RESIDENTIAL ENERGY GENERATION WITH MICRO-CHP , 2006 .

[128]  Bryan Palmintier,et al.  Heterogeneous unit clustering for efficient operational flexibility modeling , 2014, 2014 IEEE PES General Meeting | Conference & Exposition.