Aggregated Model of Data Network for the Provision of Demand Response in Generation and Transmission Expansion Planning

A two-stage Internet data center (IDC)-considered framework in generation and transmission expansion planning (GTEP) (referred to as IGTEP) is proposed to make full use of IDCs’ spatial and chronological load regulation potentials for demand response. Stage one aggregates the data network (DN) to match a transmission network structure. First, IDC load is modeled based on the DN configuration. Second, the aggregated DN (ADN) is proposed to model DN with aggregated front-end servers (FSs) and data flows, where an intuitively accurate mathematical relationship among IDCs is developed. Third, the virtual power network (VPN) is proposed to provide a model for ADN with electrical variables, where the coupling of DN and power network (PN) is proposed to develop a linear aggregated IDC load model. Stage two coordinates IDC DR and GTEP, in which the load coupling among multiple IDCs is managed by VPN and the corresponding IDC load model is compatible with the conventional GTEP load. Simulation results verify the efficiency of the proposed VPN and IDC load model. Simulation results also show that IDC DR may reduce the total IGTEP cost significantly, which implies that DN can play a role equivalent to power lines and generators in power system planning and operations.