Game theoretic approach for the synthesis and optimization of economically optimal coalitions in integrated renewable energy and polygeneration networks

This study presents the generation of an integrated resource network that encompasses a bioenergy supply chain and a polygeneration hub. The resource network is designed using a superstructure that comprises 3 layers. The first layer is a supply chain network of seasonally available renewable and non-renewable energy sources and is connected to the second layer by a transport system comprised of rail, road, and pipeline. The second layer, which is the polygeneration hub, comprises a boiler to produce high-pressure steam, steam turbines for generating power, a multi-effect evaporation system for desalinating salt-water and an absorption refrigeration system to produce chilled water. The option of connecting the boiler to a solar-thermal and heat storage subnetwork for feedwater pre-heating is included in the second layer. Piping and electrical cables connect the polygeneration layer to the third layer, which comprises industrial heat demand, represented by heat exchanger network, and electrical power demand. The model is applied to a case study in which the subnetworks in the overall integrated superstructure layers are considered as individual players in an industrial symbioses network with the possibility to be in a cooperative game. The objective function of the model, which is represented as a mixed integer nonlinear programming model, involves the minimization of the summation of the players' marginal contribution, with equal weighting applied for each player, to the coalition's total annual cost. The result obtained involves preference for a coalition among participating subnetworks that include combined heat and power, multieffect evaporation, and heat exchanger network.