Incorporating AC Power Flow into the Multi-Energy System Optimization Framework COMANDO

Most multi-energy system (MES) optimization frameworks employ a single- or multi-node approach for balancing the respective commodities and do not accurately represent the physical behavior of energy grids that exert a major impact on optimal MES design and operation. This paper presents the integration of power flow equations into our open-source energy system optimization framework COMANDO. To this end, three power grid representations are implemented, including the nonlinear AC power flow equations. In an illustrative case study, we compare the optimal design of a small MES with integrated AC power flow equations to the design resulting from the conventional single-node approach. In both cases we consider operation with intertemporal constraints. The results exemplify that accounting for AC power flow can significantly impact both the sizing of energy system components and the system operation.