Multi-Energy Collaborative Pricing Mechanism of Virtual Power Plants Under Carbon Trading Regulation

In response to global climate change, virtual power plants (VPPs) have emerged as critical entities for integrating distributed energy resources and enabling demand response. However, the design of multi-energy collaborative pricing mechanisms for VPPs remains a significant challenge, particularly under carbon trading regulation. This paper addresses this gap by proposing a bi-level optimization model that captures the real-time interactions between users and energy suppliers. The model is designed to simultaneously maximize user utility and minimize supplier costs, explicitly accounting for energy costs, equipment operation and maintenance (O&M) costs, carbon emission costs, and power generation structure constraints. A particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm is employed to solve the formulated problem. The results of a case study demonstrate that the proposed mechanism effectively guides users toward peak shaving and valley filling, achieving a real-time balance between supply and demand. Furthermore, the simulation results indicate that the model significantly enhances power system operational efficiency and economic benefits while reducing carbon emissions. This work offers a practical approach for improving renewable energy integration and overall system performance within a carbon-constrained environment.