Optimal energy management of CHP-based microgrid examining different types of district heating networks

Heat recovery by combined heat and power (CHP) systems to provide heat load reduces the cost of microgrid (MG) energy management. However, heat transfer from CHP systems to consumers is limited due to the heat loss of pipelines. The amount of heat loss varies depending on pipeline material and environmental characteristics. Here, a day-ahead energy management of CHP-based microgrid, including various types of CHP systems to supply electrical and thermal loads, is performed. In this regard, the accurate model of heat transfer losses (HTL) through pipelines in the energy management problem is considered. Moreover, the optimal scheduling of different types of MGs in terms of HTL specifications is compared with each other. Evaluating the simulation results, it is inferred that accurate modeling of HTL in the energy management problem has a significant impact on the optimal scheduling and operation cost of MG. To solve the optimization problem, a new enhanced imperialist competitive algorithm (E-ICA) is examined and validated. The E-ICA method improves the efficiency of the classical ICA method to prevent getting stuck in local optimums by enhancing exploration and exploitation. The results of the energy management problem show E-ICA superiority compared to other evolutionary algorithms.