Co-optimisation of electrical and district heating networks
File(s)
Author(s)
Polisetty, Sai Pavan
Type
Thesis
Abstract
With the growing demand for energy, the interdependence among multiple energy domains is increasing rapidly. This interconnection enables enhanced operational flexibility and cost-effectiveness, but also introduces significant complexity due to the intermittent and stochastic nature of renewable energy sources (RES). Integrated energy systems are drawing huge attention for their potential to enable efficient and sustainable energy management across sectors.
This thesis presents a two-part investigation into the co-optimisation of distribution-level integrated energy systems comprising coupled electrical distribution networks and district heating networks. In the first part, a linear co-optimisation framework is developed to schedule the dispatch of energy resources based on day-ahead forecasts of RES generation and energy demands. By leveraging the inherent flexibility in both domains, the proposed model minimises operational costs and renewable curtailment. A case study based on the integrated electrical and heating system at Bornholm Island, Denmark, demonstrates the effectiveness of the approach, showing significant reductions in RES curtailment.
The second part addresses the operational uncertainties associated with RES generation and load forecasts in distribution-level integrated systems. A rule-based dynamic dispatch is proposed to handle the increasing levels of uncertain RES. A chance-constrained (CC) co-optimisation algorithm considering the uncertain loads and RES is developed. The analysis is conducted using snapshot-based simulations of representative operating conditions. In the proposed method, electric boiler power and curtailment of RES are dynamically dispatched to reduce operational costs and network losses. The approach is validated on the IEEE 15-bus distribution system and the UK Generic Distribution System (UKGDS) 95-bus test systems. The results show that the developed method significantly reduces the voltage deviations and temperature violations compared to the deterministic method.
Together, these contributions provide a comprehensive framework for the economical operation of integrated electrical and thermal energy systems in the presence of increasing renewable energy penetration.
This thesis presents a two-part investigation into the co-optimisation of distribution-level integrated energy systems comprising coupled electrical distribution networks and district heating networks. In the first part, a linear co-optimisation framework is developed to schedule the dispatch of energy resources based on day-ahead forecasts of RES generation and energy demands. By leveraging the inherent flexibility in both domains, the proposed model minimises operational costs and renewable curtailment. A case study based on the integrated electrical and heating system at Bornholm Island, Denmark, demonstrates the effectiveness of the approach, showing significant reductions in RES curtailment.
The second part addresses the operational uncertainties associated with RES generation and load forecasts in distribution-level integrated systems. A rule-based dynamic dispatch is proposed to handle the increasing levels of uncertain RES. A chance-constrained (CC) co-optimisation algorithm considering the uncertain loads and RES is developed. The analysis is conducted using snapshot-based simulations of representative operating conditions. In the proposed method, electric boiler power and curtailment of RES are dynamically dispatched to reduce operational costs and network losses. The approach is validated on the IEEE 15-bus distribution system and the UK Generic Distribution System (UKGDS) 95-bus test systems. The results show that the developed method significantly reduces the voltage deviations and temperature violations compared to the deterministic method.
Together, these contributions provide a comprehensive framework for the economical operation of integrated electrical and thermal energy systems in the presence of increasing renewable energy penetration.
Version
Open Access
Date Issued
2025-09-03
Date Awarded
2026-03-01
Copyright Statement
Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives 4.0 International Licence (CC BY-NC-ND)
Advisor
Pal, Bikash
Publisher Department
Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Publisher Institution
Imperial College London
Qualification Level
Doctoral
Qualification Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)