Energy network: towards an interconnected energy infrastructure for the future

TL;DR

This paper develops a comprehensive theoretical framework for energy networks across different energy forms, extending classical laws and validating the model through experiments on a combined cooling, heating, and power system.

Contribution

It introduces a unified energy network theory with generalized transfer equations and an extended Kirchhoff's Law, validated by practical experiments.

Findings

Validated energy transfer equations with experimental data

Unified energy network equations for different energy forms

Extended Kirchhoff's Law for energy networks

Abstract

The fundamental theory of energy networks in different energy forms is established following an in-depth analysis of the nature of energy for comprehensive energy utilization. The definition of an energy network is given. Combining the generalized balance equation of energy in space and the Pfaffian equation, the generalized transfer equations of energy in lines (pipes) are proposed. The energy variation laws in the transfer processes are investigated. To establish the equations of energy networks, the Kirchhoff's Law in electric networks is extended to energy networks, which is called the Generalized Kirchhoff"s Law. According to the linear phenomenological law, the generalized equivalent energy transfer equations with lumped parameters are derived in terms of the characteristic equations of energy transfer in lines(pipes).The equations are finally unified into a complete energy network equation system and its solvability is further discussed. Experiments are carried out on a combined cooling, heating and power(CCHP) system in engineering, the energy network theory proposed in this paper is used to model and analyze this system. By comparing the theoretical results obtained by our modeling approach and the data measured in experiments, the energy equations are validated.