Discrete event simulation of distributed energy supply systems

The paper presents a Discrete Event Simulation (DES) model to analyse the Distributed Energy Supply Systems (DESS) in order to increase the overall system efficiency. DES is used for assessing the energy demand at each participating source and overall energy demand for the entire system. The energy-flow through the network of energy suppliers, consumers, heating and cooling storage facilities, and power transmission lines is considered as a flow of goods known from the material logistics. In the DES model different tariffs of purchasing and selling the energy in case of energy deficit or surplus are applied. The model considers different tariffs for the different time-frames during a particular day. To increase the DESS cost efficiency, the energy distribution is adapted to the energy demand, demand-meeting and cost depending on time-frames. The model is calibrated based on historical data and gives promising results for identifying the optimal time-frame for the various components operating in the energy supply network.