Configuration and dispatch optimisation of multi-station urban integrated energy systems

Urban Integrated Energy Systems (UIES) play a significant role in addressing the increasing and diversified energy demands of modern cities, while concurrently supporting carbon mitigation objectives. This study proposes a comprehensive multi-energy flow network model that simultaneously incorporates electricity, heating, and cooling systems across multiple energy stations. Core energy conversion technologies are represented using a piecewise linear approximation, and the overall system configuration and operational scheduling are jointly optimised within a mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) framework. Two scenarios are evaluated: a baseline scenario featuring regionally independent operations, and an optimised scenario that enables cross-regional energy exchange. The results indicate that interregional coordination yields a 5% reduction in total annual cost and a 12% decrease in carbon emissions, primarily driven by improved utilisation of photovoltaic generation and energy sharing between regions. Spatial variability in equipment sizing reflects heterogeneity in local demand profiles and renewable resource availability. The integrated optimisation of power, heating, and cooling networks enhances system flexibility, facilitates load balancing, and improves overall operational efficiency. The findings highlight the substantial economic and environmental benefits of interregional energy coordination, and the proposed modelling framework provides practical guidance for the planning and deployment of future low-carbon UIES.