Optimization Framework for the Analysis of Large-scale Networks of Energy Hubs

Through a reformulation of energy hubs, this paper presents a novel format for describing general en- ergy hub networks. This format underpins the development of tools for analyzing large-scale interconnected energy hub networks. The tools are developed in MATLAB and seam- lessly interface with CPLEX optimization libraries to al- low users to quickly implement and solve optimal schedul- ing problems. Our application takes a concise network de- scription file as input, uses MATLAB to build the matrices for the entire system, and outputs the requested results from CPLEX. The work presented herein supports electrical and natural gas networks, wind generating capacity, district heat loads, and the main elements of energy hubs (converters and energy storage). Addition of other energy types and hub ele- ments is straightforward.