Open Access

Yuki Wakayama, Ryohei Yokoyama, Yuji Shinano, Tetsuya Wakui

• A hierarchical mixed-integer linear programming method to solve optimal design problems of energy supply systems efficiently has been proposed. The original problem is solved by dividing it into a relaxed optimal design problem at the upper level and optimal operation problems which are independent of each other at the lower level. In this paper, a method of reducing model by time aggregation is proposed to search design solution candidates efficiently in the relaxed optimal design problem at the upper level. This method is realized only by clustering periods and averaging energy demands for clustered periods, while it guarantees to derive the optimal solution. On one hand, the method may decrease the number of design variables and costraints at the upper level, and thus the computation time at the upper level. On the other hand, it may increase the numbers of generated design solution candidates and solved optimal operation problems, and thus the computation time at both the levels. Though a case study on the optimal design of a cogeneration system, it is clarified how the model reduction is effective to enhance the computation efficiency.