Multiobjective Robust Optimal Design of Energy Supply Systems Based on Minimax Regret Criterion

Abstract

A multiobjective robust optimal design method based on the minimax regret criterion is proposed to determine equipment capacities of energy supply systems so that they are robust in economic and energy saving characteristics against the uncertainty in energy demands. Equipment capacities and utility contract demands as well as energy flow rates are determined to minimize a weighted sum of maximum regrets in the annual total cost and primary energy consumption and to satisfy all the possible energy demands. This optimization problem is formulated as a kind of multilevel linear programming problem, and its solution is obtained by repeatedly evaluating lower and upper bounds for the optimal value of the weighted sum of the maximum regrets. Through a numerical case study on a cogeneration system, the trade-off relationship between the robustness of economic and energy saving characteristics is charified.