Operation scheduling of a coal-fired CHP station integrated with power-to-heat devices with detail CHP unit models by particle swarm optimization algorithm

The accommodation of high-penetration renewable power poses a considerable challenge to power grids. Coal-fired combined heat and power (CHP) stations are forced to enhance their operational flexibility by applying heat-power decoupling technologies. Power-to-heat devices, including electric boilers and heat pumps, are capable to enhance the operational flexibility of coal-fired CHP stations. The problem regarding the operation scheduling of a CHP station with multiple CHP units and power-to-heat devices is addressed in this study. Operation optimization models integrated with detail CHP unit models are developed, and the particle swarm optimization algorithm is utilized as the optimization algorithm. Then, a case study are carried out. Results show that the unequal distribution of heating and power loads among coal-fired CHP units can decrease the total irreversibility caused by heating steam pressure regulation. The operation scheduling method provided in this study can decrease the total coal consumption by 14.14 and 14.70 t/day for the CHP station integrated with an electric boiler and a heat pump, respectively. As a result, 1204.7 and 1252.44 ton CO2, and an additional similar to 182 and-190 kUSD/year can be saved for the reference CHP station integrated with an electric boiler and a heat pump, respectively. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study addresses the operational flexibility of coal-fired CHP stations to accommodate high-penetration renewable power, using power-to-heat devices and optimization algorithms. The results show that the use of electric boilers and heat pumps, along with operational optimization models, can significantly reduce coal consumption and decrease CO2 emissions for CHP stations.