Topics in Optimization for Sustainable Energy Planning
Degree granted by The University of Texas at Arlington
Abstract
ABSTRACT: Due to the current trend of rising energy demand, finding alternate energy sources is vital. Many cities consider renewable energy as a component of a sustainable future. Typically, organic wastes are considered renewable energy sources. Wastes can be converted to proper energy forms using waste-to-energy technologies. On the other hand, more renewable energy sources in the power system may increase energy market stochasticity, alter system operation, and pose new problems for the current supply and demand equilibrium, which consequently requires new control methods. Hence, taking into account the issues mentioned above, in this research, we address organic waste conversion to renewable energy and demand response planning for supply-demand balance management. In this research, we present a mixed integer program with a quadratic cost term (MIQP) to optimize the location of anaerobic digestion facilities, the construction of new digesters, and the transportation of organic waste to these facilities. Moreover, this study introduces a bi-level demand response optimization problem using the concepts of approximate dynamic programming. The main objective of this problem is to reduce DR operational costs in the residential sector.