110th Anniversary: Modeling National Power Flow Systems through the Energy Hub Approach

Abstract

In this work, a large-scale modeling framework for the Mexican electricity system is developed based on the energy hub concept. The hub consists of nine smaller hubs, each one describing a control region of the country. The interface between energy carriers and loads is modeled as the product of coupling matrices. Natural gas, fuel oil, diesel, uranium, and coal were regarded as inputs, which are converted into electricity by available technologies. Power outputs are used mainly to meet the demand. We also considered hydroelectric, wind, and geothermal power contributions as well as export, import, and internal power transmission. A nonlinear programming problem was formulated and solved with real data for a 1 h scenario. Constraints on clean technologies’ participation and operation limits were taken into consideration. Results provide optimal flows and dispatch of the inputs such that an economic objective function is minimized while the demand of each region is satisfied. The combined cycle working with natural gas was the predominant process to produce electricity. Renewable sources played an important role in the fulfillment of the country’s energy demand. The nationwide energy hub developed in this work is a potential tool for planning and renewable resource integration studies.

Integration of planning, scheduling, and control: A review and new perspectives

“…[96] This tool allows the study of optimal planning, operation, and scheduling of energy systems at residential, commercial, agricultural, and even nation-wide levels. [97,98] Efficient integrated models such as iPS for Energy Hubs may allow one to obtain optimal dispatch of energy carriers to power converters such that the energy generation and distribution plan is satisfied, while maximizing the economics and operating the system within specified regulations. [99] To accomplish this goal, it is necessary to develop iPS models that prevent or react to disturbances caused by the intermittent nature of renewable sources and the fluctuating behaviour of energy demand and prices.…”