Planning Multiple Energy Systems Toward Low-Carbon Society: A Decentralized Approach

Coordinating multiple energy systems (MES) enables the synergies of different energy sectors to be exploited. The concept of low-carbon development changes planning approaches for both the district level and the multi-regional level of MES. This paper proposes a bi-level expansion planning model of MES that considers the emission constraints under a decentralized approach. The upper-level model investigates the optimal planning scheme for integrated power and natural gas networks in the multi-regional MES. The lower-level model examines the optimal energy supply configuration of multiple energy carriers in the district MES based on the energy hub modeling approach. The carbon emission flow model is used to allocate the overall carbon emission cap among district MES from the consumption-based perspective and to coordinate the planning of the district level and the multi-regional level. An illustrative example based on a 6-node MES verifies the effectiveness of the proposed model. Finally, a realistic case study based on an MES in northern China is implemented to show the effects of carbon emission constraints on the planning of real-world energy systems.