Open Access

Matthias Schicktanz, Dorothea Moquete, Miguel Gonzalez-Salazar

• This study presents a method and graphical representation for optimizing the operational strategy of urban energy systems to simultaneously meet electricity and heat demands. Building on Part 1, "Designing a Fully Renewable Urban Energy System: The Meaning of Sector Coupling and Hydrogen," this paper addresses the previously open question of effectively operating a complex structure of multiple energy converters. By introducing a two-dimensional merit order principle, the study systematically prioritizes the use of energy converters based on their efficiency and role in balancing heat, electricity, and hydrogen demands. Visualized through a graphical representation, this approach offers an intuitive understanding of how different energy converters interact to meet demand states, elucidating why specific converters are employed under varying conditions. By providing valuable insights into cross-sectoral energy integration, this methodology serves as both a planning tool and educational resource. It highlights the optimal deployment of specific technologies, with applicability extending to other coupled energy systems, such as heating and cooling systems in diverse contexts.