Optimal design and operation of CHPs and energy hub with multi objectives for a local energy system

This study presents a multi-objective optimization process to determine the optimal operations of combined heat and power (CHP) units and energy hub according to present value and carbon emissions. Mixed integer linear programming (MILP) model is applied to a local energy system including both electricity and gas to achieve multi objectives (energy costs versus carbon emissions). The optimization problem is formulated on the coupling electricity load and gas load with an energy hub and CHP model for optimal design and operation. The components of the energy hub includes solar thermal system, heat pump, battery, photovoltaics (PV), CHPs and thermal storage system. The results show a set of optimal design solutions of each component including their half-hourly operations and trade-off between them to achieve multi-objectives. The total cost including energy cost, carbon emission and investment with energy hub will be 112 million pound lower compared to that without energy hub system in a 20 year time frame.