A Novel Hybrid Framework for Co-Optimization of Power and Natural Gas Networks Integrated With Emerging Technologies

In a power system with high penetration of renewable power sources, gas-fired units can be considered as a back-up option to improve the balance between generation and consumption in short-term scheduling. Therefore, closer coordination between power and natural gas systems is anticipated. This article presents a novel hybrid information gap decision theory (IGDT)-stochastic cooptimization problem for integrating electricity and natural gas networks to minimize total operation cost with the penetration of wind energy. The proposed model considers not only the uncertainties regarding electrical load demand and wind power output, but also the uncertainties of gas load demands for the residential consumers. The uncertainties of electric load and wind power are handled through a scenario-based approach, and residential gas load uncertainty is handled via IGDT approach with no need for the probability density function. The introduced hybrid model enables the system operator to consider the advantages of both approaches simultaneously. The impact of gas load uncertainty associated with the residential consumers is more significant on the power dispatch of gas-fired plants and power system operation cost since residential gas load demands are prior than gas load demands of gas-fired units. The proposed framework is a bilevel problem that can be reduced to a one-level problem. Also, it can be solved by the implementation of a simple concept without the need for Karush–Kuhn–Tucker conditions. Moreover, emerging flexible energy sources such as the power to gas technology and demand response program are considered in the proposed model for increasing the wind power dispatch, decreasing the total operation cost of the integrated network as well as reducing the effect of system uncertainties on the total operating cost. Numerical results indicate the applicability and effectiveness of the proposed model under different working conditions

Risk-Aware Stochastic Scheduling of Hybrid Integrated Energy Systems with 100% Renewables

Recently, ambitious endeavors have been carried out to facilitate the transition from traditional grids to hybrid interconnected energy networks in the form of grid modernization. Align to such efforts, this article aims at developing a novel framework for satisfying techno-economic-environmental goals in the grid modernization process. To this end, a detailed examination is conducted for the optimal exploitation of energy hubs (EHs) equipped with 100% renewables to pursue the environmental goal alongside intending technical and economic constraints. The energy conversion technology is adopted to enable the power-to-gas system for establishing multi-energy interactions among electricity and gas networks. Fully benefiting from renewable units has exposed the system to uncertain fluctuations that necessitate the modeling of uncertainties to achieve near-reality results. Hence, risk-averse and seeker strategies are developed based on robustness and opportunistic modes of the information gap decision theory (IGDT) method to deal with stochastic fluctuations of uncertain parameters. The integrated electricity and gas test system is considered to analyze the applicability of the proposed framework in modeling efficient multi-energy interactions. Given the obtained results, 43.68% more energy cost is reached for EHs when they adopted a robust strategy against uncertainties under the risk-averse strategy. Moreover, the proposed framework procured a rational decision-making model for balancing multi-energy in the hybrid energy grid with 100% renewables

Dose Distribution Evaluation and Independent Quality Check of Spherical INTRABEAM™ Applicators via Radiochromic EBT2 Film Measurement

Introduction: The present study was conducted to implement a simple practical independent quality check of depth dose and isotropy of the Intrabeam™ therapeutic X-ray machine using radiochromic EBT2 film. Material and Methods: Theindependent quality check of 1.5, 3.5, and 5-cm spherical Intrabeam™ applicators was accomplished using particular EBT2 film cutting pieces with internal rounded edges in a water phantom. Prior to this measure, the film was calibrated at three distances from the 5-cm applicator in water to clarify the effects of beam spectrum and dose rate alteration on film response. To this end, three calibration curves were plotted. Results: The results of the one-way analysis of variance showed a critical difference between film pieces receiving equal doses at various distances (