Sequential Operation of Residential Energy Hubs using Physics-Based Economic Nonlinear MPC

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel 2-stage economic nonlinear MPC for residential energy hubs with multiple energy carriers, optimizing operation in Dutch energy markets while considering physics-based models of storage systems.

Contribution

It presents a hierarchical control approach that integrates physics-based models and market operations, addressing the complexity of multi-carrier energy management in residential settings.

Findings

Optimal control varies seasonally between intra-day and auction markets.

Sequential operation increases battery degradation.

Thermal storage flexibility is limited compared to stationary batteries.

Abstract

The operation of residential energy hubs with multiple energy carriers (electricity, heat, mobility) poses a significant challenge due to different carrier dynamics, hybrid storage coordination and high-dimensional action-spaces. Energy management systems oversee their operation, deciding the set points of the primary control layer. This paper presents a novel 2-stage economic model predictive controller for electrified buildings including physics-based models of the battery degradation and thermal systems. The hierarchical control operates in the Dutch sequential energy markets. In particular common assumptions regarding intra-day markets (auction and continuous-time) are discussed as well as the coupling of the different storage systems. The best control policy it is best to follow continuous time intra-day in the summer and the intra-day auction in the winter. This sequential operation comes at the expense of increased battery degradation. Lastly, under our controller, the realized short-term flexibility of the thermal energy storage is marginal compared to the flexibility delivered by stationary battery pack and electric vehicles with bidirectional charging.