In the heart of Shanghai, researchers at Tongji University are pioneering a novel approach to integrate renewable energy into the power grid, promising to reshape the energy landscape. Led by Yaxin Tan from the College of Electronics and Information Engineering, the team has developed a sophisticated model that could significantly enhance the efficiency and economics of renewable energy integration. Their work, published in the International Journal of Electrical Power & Energy Systems, introduces a two-layer nested game model that could revolutionize how energy communities operate.
At the core of this innovation is the concept of shared energy storage (SES). As renewable energy sources like solar and wind become more prevalent, the need for effective energy storage solutions has never been greater. SES allows multiple energy producers and consumers, known as prosumers, to share storage resources, optimizing their collective energy use and reducing costs. “Shared energy storage is not just about storing energy; it’s about creating a symbiotic relationship between prosumers and the grid,” Tan explains.
The model proposed by Tan and her team operates on two layers. In the upper layer, a Stackelberg game model is established, where the SES acts as the leader, setting electricity prices to maximize profit. The prosumers, acting as followers, respond to these prices through demand response and peer-to-peer (P2P) energy exchange. This dynamic interaction ensures that the SES and prosumers work in tandem, rather than in competition.
In the lower layer, a cooperative game is constructed within the prosumer alliance. Each prosumer’s contribution is scored, and an asymmetric Nash bargaining process is used to fairly allocate the total expense. This ensures that the benefits and costs of the SES are distributed equitably among the prosumers. “Fairness is crucial in any cooperative system,” Tan notes. “It ensures that all participants feel valued and are motivated to contribute.”
The model also incorporates the alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM) for privacy protection, ensuring that individual prosumers’ data remains secure. This is particularly important in an era where data privacy is a growing concern.
To test the effectiveness of their model, the researchers conducted a case study in a real active energy community in Southwest China. The results were promising, demonstrating the model’s robustness under diverse conditions. The computational results confirmed that the model achieves greater stability, reduces prosumers’ expenses, and mitigates their dependence on SES.
The implications of this research are far-reaching. As renewable energy sources continue to grow, the need for effective integration strategies will only increase. This model provides a blueprint for creating more efficient, cost-effective, and stable energy communities. It could pave the way for similar initiatives worldwide, helping to accelerate the transition to a renewable energy future.
For the energy sector, this research opens up new avenues for commercial impact. Energy companies could adopt similar models to optimize their operations, reduce costs, and enhance their competitive edge. Moreover, it could lead to the development of new business models, such as energy sharing platforms, where prosumers can buy and sell energy more efficiently.
As the world grapples with the challenges of climate change and energy security, innovations like this are more important than ever. They offer a glimpse into a future where energy is not just a commodity, but a shared resource, harnessed and managed collectively for the benefit of all. With researchers like Yaxin Tan at the helm, the future of energy looks brighter and more sustainable.