Cooperative behavior strategies of prosumers in an integrated centralized–distributed energy system

Abstract

The study aims to develop principles for forming coalitions of prosumers within an integrated energy system for efficient energy supply, substantiate the rules governing their interaction, and create a transparent mechanism for distributing joint gains among coalition participants. To this end, modeling was performed using multi-agent technologies that effectively describe multiple entities with divergent interests. In the present study, these include a centralized energy supply system with large-scale energy sources, individual energy consumers, and prosumers with their own generation sources. Models were constructed based on approaches from the theories of non-cooperative and cooperative games, which determine the actions of participants at different hierarchical levels of interaction within an integrated energy system. Particular attention is paid to the principles of forming prosumer coalitions and approaches to distributing joint gains. For this, solution concepts from cooperative game theory, such as the prenucleolus, modiclus, Shapley value, and tau-value, are used. The problem of interactions among consumers within a coalition was mathematically formulated to implement the cooperative strategies of participants. The developed multi-agent model was used to conduct experiments on the interaction of prosumers in coalitions with various compositions. Cooperative game solutions for distributing joint gains were implemented; the “best” solutions were identified according to a set of criteria reflecting the contribution and interests of each participant. The “best” solutions were demonstrated to vary depending on the coalition configuration. Thus, distribution according to the modiclus is the “best” for a coalition consisting of prosumers that differ significantly in their levels of consumption and own generation. In the case of approximately homogeneous prosumers, the prenucleolus or tau-value is optimal. Thus, the proposed criterion for determining the “best” distribution was used to select the most effective organization of interactions among prosumers within coalitions in the energy system.