A Multicriteria Optimal Operation Framework for a Data Center Microgrid Considering Renewable Energy and Waste Heat Recovery: Use of Balanced Decision Making

The rapid development of data centers (DCS) leads to a huge challenge in their energy consumption and environmental impact. It is promising to establish DC microgrids (DCMGs) for solving these issues, considering utilizing renewable energy (RE) generation and waste heat recovery systems. However, the efficient energy management of a DCMG is a topic to be pursued. In this article, we propose a multicriteria optimal operation framework for the DCMG by coordinatively scheduling the energy supply and demand. In this framework, multiple criteria are comprehensively considered via a multicriteria optimization (MCO) approach. Then, we adopt an augmented constraint algorithm to address the corresponding MCO problem. Afterward, a balanced decision-making (BDM) method is further proposed to determine the optimal scheduling solution. Finally, a case study and results analysis verify the effectiveness of the proposed multicriteria optimal operation framework for the DCMG.

Automated summary

The rapid development of data centers poses a significant challenge in terms of energy consumption and environmental impact. Establishing DC microgrids can address these issues by utilizing renewable energy generation and waste heat recovery systems. This article presents a multicriteria optimal operation framework for DC microgrids, considering various criteria through a multicriteria optimization approach. An augmented constraint algorithm and a balanced decision-making method are proposed to determine the optimal scheduling solution. A case study and results analysis demonstrate the effectiveness of this framework.