A dispatch strategy for islanded multi-energy microgrid incorporating gravity-based energy storage based on an IGWO algorithm

Addressing the challenges of abundant yet highly fluctuating wind and solar resources in mountainous regions, high costs of power and heat supply, and difficulties in matching supply and demand alongside carbon emission issues within the coordinated dispatch of “electricity-gas-heat-carbon” multi-energy systems, this paper proposes a dispatch scheme for mountainous islanded multi‑energy microgrid incorporating gravity storage, based on an improved grey wolf optimization algorithm. First, integrating mountainous terrain characteristics with the “electricity-gas-heat-carbon” coordination framework, the scheme leverages the topographical adaptability of gravity storage and the resource recycling advantages of carbon-closed-loop technology to overcome traditional system limitations. Second, considering the fluctuation characteristics of wind and solar predicted output and time-series differences in multi-energy loads under a typical daily deterministic scenario, and carbon emission constraints, an optimization dispatch model is established with the objective of minimizing overall system costs, clarifying the coordinated operation mechanism for multiple devices. Finally, an improved Grey Wolf Optimization algorithm—combining Latin Hypercube Sampling for initialization with particle swarm optimization for local search—solves the model. Simulation results demonstrate that this approach can enhance renewable energy integration rates, reduce system carbon emissions and operational costs. Further comparative simulations under summer and winter typical-day conditions verify the good robustness and engineering applicability of the proposed dispatch strategy under distinct mountain climatic conditions, providing theoretical support and practical guidance for low-carbon, stable, and economical operation of multi-energy systems in mountainous regions.