Economic and Environmental Optimization for Distributed Energy System Integrated with District Energy Network

The purpose of this research is to develop a mixed integer linear programming model for optimization of a distributed energy system integrated with electricity network. In this model, the optimal configuration of the selected equipment and dynamic intelligent control of the hourly electricity interchange among end-users were determined. The multi-objective function was to maximize the total cost saving and pollutant emission reduction. As an illustrative example, the model was applied to a neighborhood level containing hotel, office and residential buildings in Dalian, China. According to the results, with the installation of the electricity network, the load rate of the power generating unit in the hotel and office were improved and the power generate unit (PGU) often operated at full loads during the daytime with the surplus electricity distributed to the residential buildings. Furthermore, the overall performance was enhanced leading to a more than 30–40% reduction compared to the only distributed energy system (20–30%). In addition, the advancement of the electricity network was reflected in its application in office, where most of the excess electricity is transferred from office to residential building during the daytime in winter, while during the night time, the phenomenon was reversed, so that the office received electricity from residential buildings and no generated unit was at work in office.