On the integration of variable renewable energy into CCHP based microgrid in a low carbon neighbourhood

In this paper, the role of CCHP technologies for increased integration of variable renewable energy (VRE) into a low carbon neighborhood energy system has been explored. Microgrid model is developed for a hypothetical model community in Trondheim city of Norway. The model run minimises the total system cost and optimises both the investments and operation costs of the microgrid. The analysis is done for two distinct scenarios: using the main grid as a balancing source or connected mode and (2) without balancing source or in island mode. The results reveal that the main grid is a least-cost balancing source for integrating VRE in a microgrid. The optimal VRE integration level, however, is 65% and 79% in connected mode and island mode, respectively. The contribution of the main grid is dependent on the assumed grid connection capacity. The results also showed that hydronic heating is a least-cost solution compared to direct heating and has the leverage to integrate more VRE.