An OPC UA-based Energy Management Platform for Multi-Energy Prosumers in Districts

Abstract

Combined harnessing of electrical and thermal energies could leverage their complementary nature, inspiring the integration of power grids and centralized heating systems in future smart cities. This paper considers interconnected power distribution network (PDN) and district heating network (DHN) infrastructures through combined heat and power units and heat pumps. In the envisioned market framework, the DHN operator solves an optimal thermal flow problem given the nodal electricity prices and determines the best heat production strategy. Variate coefficients of performance of heat pumps with respect to different load levels are considered and modeled in a disciplined convex optimization format. A two-step hydraulic-thermal decomposition method is suggested to approximately solve the optimal thermal flow problem via a second-order cone program. Simultaneously, the PDN operator clears the distribution power market via an optimal power flow problem given the demands from the DHN. Electricity prices are revealed by dual variables at the optimal solution. The whole problem gives rise to a Nash-type game between the two systems. A best-response decentralized algorithm is proposed to identify the optimal operation schedule of the coupled infrastructure, which interprets a market equilibrium as neither system has an incentive to alter their strategies. Numeric results demonstrate the potential benefits of the proposed framework in terms of reducing wind curtailment and system operation cost.

New Methods for Improved Prosumer Trading and Energy Poverty Mitigation in Microgrids using Crowdsourcing Concepts and Blockchain Technologies

“…Using online platforms [40][41][42][43][44][45][46], the consumers can become prosumers, who create and distribute their own information about the energy generation. Some authors proposed a demurrage mechanism (DM) and Home Energy Management (HEM) for prosumers energy surplus in a LEM based on blockchain [41].…”

“…In addition, the last column considers the type of settlement used in the market. [33,34], [36,37], [43], [45] No Our vision is to enable an overlay social network of smart devices that facilitates communication and trading process between players from LEM, prosumers, consumers and microgrid. Indubitably in microgrid communities the peers might be from different geographical locations (and bounded by, for example, the DSO).…”

New Methods for Improved Prosumer Trading and Energy Poverty Mitigation in Microgrids using Crowdsourcing Concepts and Blockchain Technologies

“…Using online platforms [40][41][42][43][44][45][46], the consumers can become prosumers, who create and distribute their own information about the energy generation. Some authors proposed a demurrage mechanism (DM) and Home Energy Management (HEM) for prosumers energy surplus in a LEM based on blockchain [41].…”

“…The aforementioned study can be used to provide information for policymakers to create a fair, useful, and cost-effective P2P energy framework for prosumers. Another comprehensive platform for prosumers digitalization was recommended in [43], and market simulations are developed in [44,45] for consumers integration in microgrids. In the same manner, a virtual platform was proposed in [46] for an efficient management of multiple energy prosumers (MEP).…”

“…In addition, the last column considers the type of settlement used in the market. [24,25], [44], [49] No No No Yes No Negotiated [26,27] Yes No No Yes No Negotiated [30][31][32], [35], [38], [42] No Yes No No No Negotiated, MCP [33,34], [36,37], [43], [45] Our vision is to enable an overlay social network of smart devices that facilitates communication and trading process between players from LEM, prosumers, consumers and microgrid. Indubitably in microgrid communities the peers might be from different geographical locations (and bounded by, for example, the DSO).…”