*3.2. Problem Description*

This study aims to optimize the configuration of the CCHP multi-microgrid system combined with ESS. In the solution process, both the economic and environmental protection of the CCHP system and the profitability of the ESS should be satisfied. The decision variables, objective function, constraints, and operating scheme are described as follows.

## 3.2.1. Decision Variables

The decision variables are as follows:

$$X = [N\_{\rm pv\nu}, N\_{\rm mt}, N\_{\rm gb\nu}, N\_{\rm tst\prime}, N\_{\rm grid\prime}, N\_{\rm bnt\prime}, r] \tag{10}$$

where *Npv*, *Nmt*, *Ngb,* and *Ntst* denote the installed capacity of PV, MT, GB, and TST, *Ngrid* denotes the upper limit of power purchased from the grid, *Nbat* denotes the capacity of storage batteries to be allocated, and *r* denotes the ratio of EC cooling production to the cooling load.
