An Overview on Non-centralized Control of Multi-energy Systems for the Optimal Operations of Energy Communities

In the current energy panorama, the means of energy generation, consumption, and storage are incurring a Cambrian explosion, pushed by pressing environmental concerns. One of the main drivers of change lies in the development of multi-energy systems (MESs) aimed at energy system integration, i.e., the coordinated planning and functioning of the energy system ‘as a whole’, across multiple energy carriers (e.g., thermal, electric, etc.) and consumption sectors at various levels (e.g., district, city, region, etc.). The increasing interconnection between individual energy systems requires advanced modelling and control techniques that can further enhance the overall efficiency and performance. Independently of the spatial perspective, the effective utilization of physically different generations means, as well as the optimal scheduling of power-absorbing devices becomes a challenging task. However, at a local level, the penetration of MESs would be facilitated by the introduction of the energy community (EC) paradigm (i.e., local optimal exploitation of renewable sources and widespread use of distributed storage as well as application of measures oriented to cost-effectiveness and sustainability). This chapter overviews the numerous components of a district-level MES from a modelling perspective, focusing on how they can be optimally controlled and effectively integrated into a non-centralized and non-cooperative environment, constituting the modern EC.