An Optimal Capacity Configuration Method for a Renewable Energy Integration-Transmission System Considering Economics and Reliability

Integrated Energy Transmission Systems (IETSs) are essential to bridge the geographical gap between where energy is produced and where it is needed, transporting power from resource-rich regions to distant load centers. The fundamental challenge is to resolve the inherent asymmetry between an intermittent power supply and distant load demand. Conventional approaches, focusing only on capacity, fail to address this issue while achieving an effective economic and reliable balance. To address the concerns above, a bilevel optimization framework is proposed to optimize the capacity configuration of IETSs, including wind power, photovoltaic (PV), thermal power, and pumped storage. The optimal capacity of wind and PV is determined by the upper-level model to minimize electricity price, whereas the lower-level model optimizes the system’s operational dispatch for given configuration to minimize operational expenses. A detailed IETS model is also developed to accurately capture the operational characteristics of diverse power sources. Furthermore, the proposed model integrates carbon emission costs and High-Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) utilization constraints, thereby allowing for a comprehensive assessment of their economic efficiency and reliability for capacity configuration. Case studies are conducted to verify the proposed method. The results show that the capacities of wind and PV are optimized, and the electricity costs of IETSs are minimized while satisfying reliability constraints.