Optimal Scheduling of Interconnected Multi-Carrier Energy Hubs with Multi-Type Energy Storage, Demand Response, and Electric Vehicles

Abstract

The coordinated operation of interconnected multi-carrier energy hubs is a key enabler of cost-efficient and flexible energy management in modern smart cities. This paper develops a comprehensive optimization framework for the day-ahead scheduling of interconnected energy hubs in residential and commercial sectors. The problem is formulated as a mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) model that jointly manages electricity, natural gas, and thermal energy flows. To enhance operational flexibility, the proposed model incorporates demand response programs for both electrical and thermal loads, multiple energy storage technologies, and electric vehicles with vehicle-to-grid (V2G) capability. Six operating scenarios are defined to assess the impact of different resources and coordination levels, ranging from independent hub operation to fully integrated interconnected scheduling. Simulation results show that coordinated operation of the energy hubs, supported by flexible loads, storage systems, and electric vehicles, can significantly reduce total daily operating costs compared with conventional standalone configurations. The findings confirm that energy exchange among hubs, combined with demand-side flexibility and EV participation, improves both economic performance and system efficiency. The proposed framework offers a scalable scheduling approach for future integrated multi-energy systems.