Carbon-oriented optimal operation strategy based on Stackelberg game for multiple integrated energy microgrids

Given the context of the energy internet and low-carbon electricity, integrated energy microgrids (IEMs) have become an important means of achieving energy conservation and emission reduction. However, energy interactions among multiple IEMs often create multi-subject interest competition patterns. To address this conflict of interest and achieve low-carbon operation, this paper proposes a low-carbon economy operation strategy for multiple IEMs based on a double-layer Stackelberg game model. First, an IEM model that takes carbon trading into account is established, employing the K-means clustering method to address the seasonal variations of photovoltaic data. Secondly, the collaborative operation model of multiple IEMs is built based on Stackelberg game to realize low-carbon economic operation. In addition, a series of multidimensional evaluation indexes are proposed in terms of the economy, efficiency, and the environment. A comprehensive evaluation method combining subjective and objective weights is established to evaluate the proposed IEM operation strategy. A case study shows that the proposed method increases the income and total earnings of each IEM while reducing overall carbon emissions by 34.6%. Therefore, achieving a win-win situation among multiple IEMs.