Hierarchical two-stage robust optimisation dispatch based on co-evolutionary theory for multiple CCHP microgrids

Combined cooling, heating, and power (CCHP) microgrids are a special form of a microgrid that is attracting increasing attention. This study contributes to the goal of minimising the operation cost of CCHP microgrids by proposing a hierarchical two-stage robust optimisation dispatch model for multiple CCHP microgrid systems. The uncertainties associated with wind power output, electric power, heating, and cooling loads, and transmission line failures are considered in the proposed model. Moreover, the electricity purchasing and selling prices of each microgrid are independently determined. The proposed model applies the outputs of fuel cells, energy storage devices, and gas turbines, the distribution factor of waste heat, and the power transmission between the microgrids and an external grid as control variables. The optimised dispatch problem is solved using McCormick envelopes relaxation and a novel column and constraint generation algorithm that provides enhanced optimisation performance by implementing co-evolutionary theory. In this way, the microgrid system is divided into several sections, and each section is represented as an individual min-max-min problem. The rationality and validity of the proposed model and the superiority of the solution performance of the improved algorithm are verified through simulation case studies involving a system composed of four CCHP microgrids.