Work

Optimal operation of flexible IES based on energy hub and demand-side response

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: In this paper, we explored optimal operation strategies for integrated energy systems (IES) in electrolytic aluminum industrial parks, highlighting energy hubs (EH) as key to improving energy efficiency and operational flexibility. A review of IES research covers system modeling, optimization algorithms, and demand-side response (DR) strategies. By integrating EH into an energy coupling model with a DR framework, we analyzed the system's economic viability, constraints, and optimization approaches. A case study was performed to validate the model's effectiveness across scenarios. Our results demonstrated that the proposed framework significantly improves IES performance: When compared with single-energy-conversion equipment configurations, the EH-integrated model reduces total operating costs by 21.05%–38.02%. By incorporating a DR model tailored to electrolytic aluminum's rigid load characteristics, including load shifting and multi–energy substitution, the system achieves a 53.6%–62.1% reduction in wind/solar curtailment rates and shortens energy storage payback periods by 18.7%. Further analysis indicated that the DR-IES model can dynamically balance electrical and thermal loads, incentivize user participation, and enhance environmental benefits. Empirical results showed that this approach reduces total operating costs by 5.56% and narrows the peak-valley differences of electrical and thermal loads by 24.78% and 17.11%, respectively. This study provides a new paradigm for high-energy-consuming industries to achieve low–carbon transformation through the collaborative optimization of EH and DR, offering theoretical and practical guidance for energy management in industrial parks.

Source: AIMS energy

DOI: 10.3934/energy.2025022