Multi-objective optimization of multi-energy complementary system based on cascade utilization of heat storage

A multi-energy complementary system driven by solar energy and central grid is proposed to supply electricity and cooling/heating, in which a dual-tank thermal storage system is integrated to achieve cascaded solar heat energy utilization. The system integrates parabolic trough solar collectors, high-temperature and low-temperature thermal storage tanks, and an organic Rankine cycle to form an operational loop. The low-temperature thermal storage tank drives an absorption heat pump independently. Excess photovoltaic power drives the ground source heat pump for heating/cooling. Three indicators are defined and compared to show the renewable energy penetration rate in the complementary system. A multi-objective optimization model considering economic performance and renewable energy rate is constructed to optimize the system configurations. Three sets of objective functions are compared through the optimization Pareto frontiers. Then, the TOPSIS method is employed to select the optimum configuration through setting different weights of optimization objectives. Compared with the reference system, the proposed multi-energy complementary system improves the energy, economic and environmental benefits by 59.21%, 24.27% and 11.31%, respectively. Through a variety of equipment (PV, ORC, AHP, TES), solar energy supplies 86.2% and 72.2% of total electricity and heat loads, respectively.