Integrated optimization of Multi-Energy System operation and thermal comfort management for buildings

The growing interest in decarbonization promotes the spread of distributed generation and efficient load control approaches (demand-side management). In this framework, the definition of mathematical tools to tackle the integrated optimal management of energy resources and flexible loads is fundamental. This study addresses the optimal scheduling problem of a Multi-Energy System (MES) and thermal comfort management for buildings in a unified approach. Linearized simplified models of the buildings and district heating network (DHN) are included in the algorithm. The optimization can exploit thermal inertia of buildings and of DHN to increase the flexibility of the system. The proposed method is applied to a group of buildings of the Campus of University of Parma.