Multienergy Networks Analytics: Standardized Modeling, Optimization, and Low Carbon Analysis

Multienergy systems (MESs) are able to unlock the energy system flexibility using the coupling across multiple energy sectors. Such coupling contributes to improving the overall energy efficiency and promoting the accommodation of renewable energy. Among a wide range of literature, this article provides a perspective of network analytics on how to model, optimize, and conduct low-carbon analysis on MESs. The energy sector coupling involves different levels, for example, from a single building to nationwide. In this article, we categorize multienergy networks into two levels, that is, the district level that covers a relatively small area such as a campus or a community, where the energy conversion and utilization is the major focus, and the multiregion level that covers a relatively large area such as a big city, a province, or the whole country, where the energy transmission is the major concern. We first review the state-of-the-art multienergy networks standardized modeling approaches including: 1) energy hub (EH) model for district level energy networks; 2) network models, including power, heat, and gas steady-state and dynamic network models, for multiregion level energy networks; and 3) load models, including electricity, heat, and gas load forecasting models. Second, we explore the planning and operation methods for both district level and multiregion level energy networks. Third, we introduce a special technique named the carbon emission flow (CEF) model that is able to calculate the equivalent CO2 emission associated with the energy flows in multienergy networks. We also demonstrate how the technique can help multienergy networks planning and operation toward a low carbon society. Finally, we envision several further key research topics in the field of multienergy networks.