Stochastic multi-objective scheduling of a combined cooling, heating and power microgrid containing a fuel cell

Combined cooling, heating and power (CCHP) microgrids that use fuel cells have a promising future, because they are energy efficient, have low emissions, and consume less energy. This study investigates the optimal energy management of a CCHP microgrid that includes a photovoltaic, a battery, a fuel cell, a gas boiler, a thermal storage tank, an absorption chiller, and an electric chiller, with a cooling, heating and power load. A multi-objective chance-constrained programming model is proposed, which aims to minimize the total running costs, and SO2 and NOx emissions. A Monte-Carlo stochastic simulation technique is applied to deal with the stochastic characteristics of the PV cells, and the cooling, heating and power loads. An improved multi-objective particle swarm optimization with Pareto set is proposed to solve the model. Simulation results of a hotel building show that the proposed approach can reduce the emissions of the pollutants, and effectively improve the system's efficiency. (C) 2015 AIP Publishing LLC.