Bi-level scheduling model for a novel virtual power plant incorporating waste incineration power plant and electric waste truck considering waste transportation strategy

Aggregating waste incineration plants, electric waste trucks, and renewable energy sources into virtual power plants is important to promote renewable energy utilization and sustainable waste disposal. However, electric waste trucks must perform daily waste transportation tasks while participating in virtual power plant scheduling. Therefore, coordinating the relationship between the two has become a key to the stable operation of the virtual power plant systems. This study constructed a novel virtual power plant system incorporating waste incineration plants and electric waste trucks. The transportation strategy of the electric waste truck and the scheduling strategy of the virtual power plant were simultaneously considered through a bi-level programming model. The simulation results show that: (1) the proposed virtual power plant's revenue increased by 19.59%, and electric waste truck operating costs decreased by 45.91% compared to independent operations; (2) the of revenue plant increased by only 5.81% when electric waste trucks fully adhered to the virtual power plant schedule before performing waste transportation tasks, but electric waste truck costs increased by 27.14% compared to the proposed bi-level programming model. In conclusion, this bi-level programming model effectively balances the interests of various stakeholders, promotes efficient waste resource utilization, and enhances municipal solid waste removal efficiency. The proposed virtual power plant planning scheme fully utilizes renewable energy and waste resources, improves waste utilization efficiency, and provides innovative ideas for renewable energy consumption.