The centralized energy supply in a network of distributed energy systems: A cost-based mathematical approach

The energy consumption in cities is mostly satisfied by large scale fossil fuelled power plants that account for the major CO2 emissions. National and European policies point towards the adoption of proper energy measures aiming at reducing the emissions. In this direction, Distributed Energy Systems (DESs) are considered as an alternative to the traditional centralized supply, since they allow producing energy that may be distributed to consumers. Yet, the energy interactions occurring among consumers and installers of DESs are modeled within the framework of the complex networks, where nodes stand for consumers and/or potential producers and links symbolize their energy exchanges. The model is based on a cost analysis and minimizes the energy provided from the traditional power plant when a network of distributed energy systems is constituted within the urban territory. Moreover, the impact that the decentralized production has on the centralized supply in terms of cost of the energy delivered to consumers is evaluated. Results are discussed within an application to a numerical case study.