Double-layer Firefly Algorithm for Simultaneous Optimal Sizing and Operation of Energy Hubs

Abstract

For economical and efficient use of local multi-carrier energy systems, energy hubs (EHs) were introduced as the best solution. EHs as one type of distributed generation have made the use of multi-carrier energy systems attractive with better energy conservation. To achieve the economic and environmental objectives of the EH, the sizes of its components need to be optimally selected. In addition, to check the incentive of the EH, it must be studied under operation. For this reason, the economic dispatch of the EH is to be carried out. However, the two objectives of optimal design and optimal dispatch have been previously addressed as two separate problems one step after another. In this paper, a double-layer firefly based optimization algorithm is proposed to both optimally size and dispatch the EH components, simultaneously. The two problems are combined in one multi-objective optimization problem. The objectives are to minimize the total capital and operational cost of the EH, minimize the system emission, and maximize the cost of exported energy to the network. The proposed algorithm is effectively applied to a commercial facility (hospital) as a case study.

Keywords::

• energy hubs
• optimal sizing
• optimal dispatch
• modified firefly algorithm

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Amany M. El-Zonkoly

Amany M. El-Zonkoly is with the Arab Academy for Science & Technology, Alexandria, Egypt, from 1996 to 2017. From 2000 to 2003, she was a Ph.D. Student with Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt. She became an Assistant Professor in 2003, an Associate Professor in 2009, and a Full Professor in electrical power in 2013 at Arab Academy for Science & Technology. Her research interests include power system planning and operation, power system protection and artificial intelligence optimization techniques applications to power system problems.

Almoataz Y. Abdelaziz

Almoataz Y. Abdelaziz received the B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees in electrical engineering from Ain Shams University, Egypt, in 1985 and 1990, respectively, and the Ph.D. degree in electrical engineering according to the channel system between Ain Shams University, Egypt, and Brunel University, UK, in 1996. He is currently a Professor in the Department of Electrical Power Engineering, Ain Shams University. He is a Chair of the IEEE Education Society chapter in Egypt, a Senior Editor of Ain Shams Engineering Journal, an Editor of Electric Power Components and Systems, as well as an Editorial Board Member, Associate Editor, and Editorial Advisory Board Member of several international journals and conferences. He is also a Member of the IET and the Egyptian Sub-Committees of IEC and CIGRE. He has recieved many prizes for distinct research and international publishing from Ain Shams University, Egypt. He has authored or co-authored more than 300 refereed journal and conference papers. His research interests include applications of artificial intelligence and evolutionary and heuristic optimization techniques to power system operation, planning, and control.

Alaa M. Eladl

Alaa M. Eladl received the B.Sc. degree from the Department of electrical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Alexandria University, Egypt, in 2011. From 2012 to 2017, she wasworking toward the Master's degree in the College of Engineering and Technology, Arab Academy for Science & Technology, Alexandria, Egypt. She was in the field of electrical engineering consultancy from 2011 to 2017. Her research includes power system planning and artificial intelligence optimization techniques applications to power system problems.