A bi-level equivalent model of scheduling an energy hub to provide operating reserve for power systems

The integration of multiple energy carriers, such as electricity, heat, and gas, allows users to schedule their energy consumptions coordinately. The development of information and communication technologies also makes it possible to reduce the electricity consumption instantly, and provide operating reserves to assist the reliable operation of the whole power system. This paper proposes a bi-level equivalent model for users to evaluate the capability and cost of providing operating reserves, in terms of scheduling their multiple energy consumptions under the framework of Energy Hub (EH). First, a typical distribution scale EH is modelled, consisting of various devices, such as the combined heat and power plant (CHP), electric heat pump, etc. A unified energy conversion matrix is formed to characterise the exact EH structure in this paper. Based on this, a bi-level equivalent model for economically providing operating reserves is formulated. The first level strategy concerns using energy substitution, such as ramping up CHP instead of the electric boiler to reduce electricity consumption. In the second level strategy, the feasible options extend to optimal load curtailment, the cost of which is formulated using customer damage functions. Finally, a test case is utilized to validate the proposed equivalent model.