Multi-objective optimization of combined heat and power system integrated with multi-energy storage systems for rural communities

Renewable-based combined heat and power system (CHPS) benefit communities by enhancing energy resilience and reducing energy costs and emissions. Considering its reliability issues, previous studies integrated two or more energy sources or employed energy storage systems, compromising emission reduction or imposing an economic burden. To address this challenge, this study introduces three energy system schemes (ESSs) based on renewable, non-renewable, and hybrid energy resources. Each ESS includes various feasible configurations integrated with energy storage systems, such as batteries and hydrogen, resulting in 22 configurations modeled, optimized, and systematically investigated using HOMER software, considering energy-economic-environmental (3E) criteria to select the optimal system configuration (OSC). The introduced CHPS configurations are presented in a practical case study of a remote community in Pakistan. Results showcased that OSC belongs to a hybrid ESS with the following characteristics: (a) COE (0.127 $/kWh) and NPC (0.192 M$) are minimum among other configurations, (b) capacity shortage and unmet electric load are 0.21 % and 0.14 %, and (c) CO2 2 is reduced by 67.49 % compared to the base case. Furthermore, the 3E effect of adding a thermal load controller and batteries to the OSC is explored. The 3E results are inclusively compared with the existing literature, revealing that OSC is economical, reliable, and eco-friendly.