Abstract:In order to effectively improve the carbon emission reduction ability and economic benefit level of virtual power plant, a virtual power plant operation optimization method considering various flexible electric loads participating in demand response was proposed. Firstly, considering the characteristics of flexible electric load and classifying it, a diversified model of flexible electric load of virtual power plant was established. Secondly, the traditional stepped carbon trading price model was optimized, and the improved stepped carbon trading mechanism model was established to promote the system carbon emission reduction. Then, considering the system operation cost and carbon trading cost comprehensively, the virtual power plant operation optimization model was established to minimize the total operation cost, and the model was solved by Cplex solver. Finally, three scenarios were set for comparative analysis to verify the effectiveness of the model. The results show that reasonable carbon trading base price and carbon trading interval length can cooperate with low carbon and economy, and the improvement of the cascade carbon trading mechanism and demand response can reduce the operating costs of virtual power plants, reduce carbon emissions, and bring huge economic and environmental benefits.