Scheduling a smart energy hub-based virtual power plant using benders decomposition to considering power system constraints

In this paper, a model is presented for scheduling of a virtual power plant (VPP) which consists of several energy hubs. With a collaborative management of energy hubs as a VPP, collaboration of energy hubs for supplying local loads is managed greatly. Furthermore, the amount of energy exchange with energy distribution networks and limitations of local distribution networks between energy hubs is done via VPP manager. In the presented model, energy hubs can be connected to each other via heat and electricity distribution networks. Using Benders decomposition, scheduling of this VPP is decomposed into a master problem and a slave problem. The master problem defines working points of energy hubs, and the slave problem considers the limitations of energy hubs. The proper performance of the presented model is verified using a case study, and the results are presented in detail.