Economic Scheduling Strategy for Multi-Energy-Integrated Highway Service Centers Considering Carbon Trading and Critical Peak Pricing Mechanism

This study proposes an optimized economic scheduling strategy for multi-energy-integrated highway service centers (MEIHSCs) within a 24 h operational timeframe. With the imperative of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality, highway areas are increasingly incorporating renewable energy systems, such as photovoltaic arrays, to capitalize on abundant resources along highways. Considering the diverse load demands of new energy vehicles and the mismatch between energy supply and demand on the highway, MEIHSCs must adapt to these trends by establishing integrated networks for electricity, natural gas, and hydrogen refueling. However, there is a lack of coordination between equipment switching and the phases of low electricity prices and peak renewable energy periods. To address this challenge and improve economic efficiency, this study proposes an economic dispatch strategy that combines economic incentives based on carbon trading and critical peak pricing mechanisms. This strategy aims to maximize economic benefits while fully meeting the load demands of new energy vehicles. Case studies indicate that operating costs are reduced by 28.04% compared to strategies without new energy installations, and by 47.85% compared to strategies without optimization. The results demonstrate that this integrated and optimized strategy significantly reduces energy costs and enhances economic benefits in highway service centers.