Integrated Electricity, Heat, and Gas Infrastructure Expansion Planning: A Case Study of Alberta Energy System

Abstract

The problem of expansion planning is the problem of determining the optimum size, time, and location of infrastructure that is required to be added into the system. In this thesis, an integrated and multi-area framework for expansion planning of electricity, heat, and gas infrastructure is developed with the objective of minimizing cost over the planning horizon. First, the expansion planning problem involving electricity and heat energy systems is modeled. This model finds a plan for future installation of electricity generation units, CHPs and boilers along with the optimal dispatch of existing and new facilities. Second, the model is further developed by including the gas infrastructure. Thus, a comprehensive expansion planning of the electricity generation and transmission, heat generation, gas production, gas pipelines, and gas storage is conducted. The simulation results on Alberta energy system indicate the proposed model outperforms the existing expansion planning models in terms of cost and emissions.