Evaluation and Optimization of Carbon Emissions in Renewable Energy Power Systems

The low-carbon operation and planning of power and energy systems are vitally important for achieving carbon neutrality in the electric power system. This study presents a method based on sequential production simulation of electricity to optimize the carbon emissions of the power system. Firstly, we establish a long-term unit commitment model, which aims to minimize carbon emissions and takes into account constraints such as the operations of thermal power, wind power, photovoltaic power, and hydropower. Secondly, we consider the operational constraints of carbon emissions from thermal power generation, including constraints on the volume of carbon emissions from thermal power generation and carbon emissions during the start-up and shut-down process of thermal power units. These constraints are then linearized. Case studies are conducted based on the provincial power grid in China, allowing the operation of various types of power sources in the province to achieve optimal carbon emissions. Test results have verified the effectiveness of the method.