@misc{HumpolaFuegenschuhLehmann, author = {Humpola, Jesco and F{\"u}genschuh, Armin and Lehmann, Thomas}, title = {A Primal Heuristic for MINLP based on Dual Information}, issn = {1438-0064}, doi = {10.1007/s13675-014-0029-0}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:0297-zib-43110}, abstract = {We present a novel heuristic algorithm to identify feasible solutions of a mixed-integer nonlinear programming problem arising in natural gas transportation: the selection of new pipelines to enhance the network's capacity to a desired level in a cost-efficient way. We solve this problem in a linear programming based branch-and-cut approach, where we deal with the nonlinearities by linear outer approximation and spatial branching. At certain nodes of the branching tree, we compute a KKT point for a nonlinear relaxation. Based on the information from the KKT point we alter some of the integer variables in a locally promising way. We describe this heuristic for general MINLPs and then show how to tailor the heuristic to exploit our problem-specific structure. On a test set of real-world instances, we are able to increase the chance of identifying feasible solutions by some order of magnitude compared to standard MINLP heuristics that are already built in the general-purpose MINLP solver SCIP.}, language = {en} } @article{HumpolaLehmannFuegenschuh, author = {Humpola, Jesco and Lehmann, Thomas and F{\"u}genschuh, Armin}, title = {A primal heuristic for optimizing the topology of gas networks based on dual information}, series = {EURO Journal on Computational Optimization}, volume = {3}, journal = {EURO Journal on Computational Optimization}, number = {1}, doi = {10.1007/s13675-014-0029-0}, pages = {53 -- 78}, abstract = {We present a novel heuristic to identify feasible solutions of a mixed-integer nonlinear programming problem arising in natural gas transportation: the selection of new pipelines to enhance the network's capacity to a desired level in a cost-efficient way. We solve this problem in a linear programming based branch-and-cut approach, where we deal with the nonlinearities by linear outer approximation and spatial branching. At certain nodes of the branching tree, we compute a KKT point of a nonlinear relaxation. Based on the information from the KKT point we alter some of the binary variables in a locally promising way exploiting our problem-specific structure. On a test set of real-world instances, we are able to increase the chance of identifying feasible solutions by some order of magnitude compared to standard MINLP heuristics that are already built in the general-purpose MINLP solver SCIP.}, language = {en} } @incollection{HillerHumpolaLehmannetal., author = {Hiller, Benjamin and Humpola, Jesco and Lehmann, Thomas and Lenz, Ralf and Morsi, Antonio and Pfetsch, Marc and Schewe, Lars and Schmidt, Martin and Schwarz, Robert and Schweiger, Jonas and Stangl, Claudia and Willert, Bernhard}, title = {Computational results for validation of nominations}, series = {Evaluating Gas Network Capacities}, volume = {SIAM-MOS series on Optimization}, booktitle = {Evaluating Gas Network Capacities}, isbn = {9781611973686}, abstract = {The different approaches to solve the validation of nomination problem presented in the previous chapters are evaluated computationally in this chapter. Each approach is analyzed individually, as well as the complete solvers for these problems. We demonstrate that the presented approaches can successfully solve large-scale real-world instances.}, language = {en} } @misc{FuegenschuhHillerHumpolaetal., author = {F{\"u}genschuh, Armin and Hiller, Benjamin and Humpola, Jesco and Koch, Thorsten and Lehmann, Thomas and Schwarz, Robert and Schweiger, Jonas and Szab{\´o}, J{\´a}cint}, title = {Gas Network Topology Optimization for Upcoming Market Requirements}, doi = {10.1109/EEM.2011.5953035}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:0297-zib-12348}, number = {11-09}, abstract = {Gas distribution networks are complex structures that consist of passive pipes, and active, controllable elements such as valves and compressors. Controlling such network means to find a suitable setting for all active components such that a nominated amount of gas can be transmitted from entries to exits through the network, without violating physical or operational constraints. The control of a large-scale gas network is a challenging task from a practical point of view. In most companies the actual controlling process is supported by means of computer software that is able to simulate the flow of the gas. However, the active settings have to be set manually within such simulation software. The solution quality thus depends on the experience of a human planner. When the gas network is insufficient for the transport then topology extensions come into play. Here a set of new pipes or active elements is determined such that the extended network admits a feasible control again. The question again is how to select these extensions and where to place them such that the total extension costs are minimal. Industrial practice is again to use the same simulation software, determine extensions by experience, add them to the virtual network, and then try to find a feasible control of the active elements. The validity of this approach now depends even more on the human planner. Another weakness of this manual simulation-based approach is that it cannot establish infeasibility of a certain gas nomination, unless all settings of the active elements are tried. Moreover, it is impossible to find a cost-optimal network extension in this way. In order to overcome these shortcomings of the manual planning approach we present a new approach, rigorously based on mathematical optimization. Hereto we describe a model for finding feasible controls and then extend this model such that topology extensions can additionally and simultaneously be covered. Numerical results for real-world instances are presented and discussed.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{FuegenschuhHillerHumpolaetal., author = {F{\"u}genschuh, Armin and Hiller, Benjamin and Humpola, Jesco and Koch, Thorsten and Lehmann, Thomas and Schwarz, Robert and Schweiger, Jonas and Szabo, Jacint}, title = {Gas Network Topology Optimization for Upcoming Market Requirements}, series = {International Conference on the European Energy Market (EEM)}, booktitle = {International Conference on the European Energy Market (EEM)}, doi = {10.1109/EEM.2011.5953035}, pages = {346 -- 351}, abstract = {Gas distribution networks are complex structures that consist of passive pipes, and active, controllable elements such as valves and compressors. Controlling such network means to find a suitable setting for all active components such that a nominated amount of gas can be transmitted from entries to exits through the network, without violating physical or operational constraints. The control of a large-scale gas network is a challenging task from a practical point of view. In most companies the actual controlling process is supported by means of computer software that is able to simulate the flow of the gas. However, the active settings have to be set manually within such simulation software. The solution quality thus depends on the experience of a human planner. When the gas network is insufficient for the transport then topology extensions come into play. Here a set of new pipes or active elements is determined such that the extended network admits a feasible control again. The question again is how to select these extensions and where to place them such that the total extension costs are minimal. Industrial practice is again to use the same simulation software, determine extensions by experience, add them to the virtual network, and then try to find a feasible control of the active elements. The validity of this approach now depends even more on the human planner. Another weakness of this manual simulation-based approach is that it cannot establish infeasibility of a certain gas nomination, unless all settings of the active elements are tried. Moreover, it is impossible to find a cost-optimal network extension in this way. In order to overcome these shortcomings of the manual planning approach we present a new approach, rigorously based on mathematical optimization. Hereto we describe a model for finding feasible controls and then extend this model such that topology extensions can additionally and simultaneously be covered. Numerical results for real-world instances are presented and discussed.}, language = {en} } @misc{FuegenschuhGeisslerGollmeretal., author = {F{\"u}genschuh, Armin and Geißler, Bj{\"o}rn and Gollmer, Ralf and Hayn, Christine and Henrion, Rene and Hiller, Benjamin and Humpola, Jesco and Koch, Thorsten and Lehmann, Thomas and Martin, Alexander and Mirkov, Radoslava and Morsi, Antonio and R{\"o}misch, Werner and R{\"o}vekamp, Jessica and Schewe, Lars and Schmidt, Martin and Schultz, R{\"u}diger and Schwarz, Robert and Schweiger, Jonas and Stangl, Claudia and Steinbach, Marc and Willert, Bernhard}, title = {Mathematical Optimization for Challenging Network Planning Problems in Unbundled Liberalized Gas Markets}, issn = {1438-0064}, doi = {10.1007/s12667-013-0099-8}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:0297-zib-17821}, abstract = {The recently imposed new gas market liberalization rules in Germany lead to a change of business of gas network operators. While previously network operator and gas vendor where united, they were forced to split up into independent companies. The network has to be open to any other gas trader at the same conditions, and free network capacities have to be identified and publicly offered in a non-discriminatory way. We show that these new paradigms lead to new and challenging mathematical optimization problems. In order to solve them and to provide meaningful results for practice, all aspects of the underlying problems, such as combinatorics, stochasticity, uncertainty, and nonlinearity, have to be addressed. With such special-tailored solvers, free network capacities and topological network extensions can, for instance, be determined.}, language = {en} } @article{FuegenschuhGeisslerGollmeretal., author = {F{\"u}genschuh, Armin and Geißler, Bj{\"o}rn and Gollmer, Ralf and Hayn, Christine and Henrion, Ren{\´e} and Hiller, Benjamin and Humpola, Jesco and Koch, Thorsten and Lehmann, Thomas and Martin, Alexander and Mirkov, Radoslava and Morsi, Antonio and R{\"o}misch, Werner and R{\"o}vekamp, Jessica and Schewe, Lars and Schmidt, Martin and Schultz, R{\"u}diger and Schwarz, Robert and Schweiger, Jonas and Stangl, Claudia and Steinbach, Marc and Willert, Bernhard}, title = {Mathematical optimization for challenging network planning problems in unbundled liberalized gas markets}, series = {Energy Systems}, volume = {5}, journal = {Energy Systems}, number = {3}, publisher = {Springer Berlin Heidelberg}, address = {Berlin}, doi = {10.1007/s12667-013-0099-8}, pages = {449 -- 473}, abstract = {The recently imposed new gas market liberalization rules in Germany lead to a change of business of gas network operators. While previously network operator and gas vendor were united, they were forced to split up into independent companies. The network has to be open to any other gas trader at the same conditions, and free network capacities have to be identified and publicly offered in a non-discriminatory way. We discuss how these changing paradigms lead to new and challenging mathematical optimization problems. This includes the validation of nominations, that asks for the decision if the network's capacity is sufficient to transport a specific amount of flow, the verification of booked capacities and the detection of available freely allocable capacities, and the topological extension of the network with new pipelines or compressors in order to increase its capacity. In order to solve each of these problems and to provide meaningful results for the practice, a mixture of different mathematical aspects have to be addressed, such as combinatorics, stochasticity, uncertainty, and nonlinearity. Currently, no numerical solver is available that can deal with such blended problems out-of-the-box. The main goal of our research is to develop such a solver, that moreover is able to solve instances of realistic size. In this article, we describe the main ingredients of our prototypical software implementations.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{MartinGeisslerHeynetal.2011, author = {Martin, Alexander and Geißler, Bj{\"o}rn and Heyn, Christine and Hiller, Benjamin and Humpola, Jesco and Koch, Thorsten and Lehmann, Thomas and Morsi, Antonio and Pfetsch, Marc and Schewe, Lars and Schmidt, Martin and Schultz, R{\"u}diger and Schwarz, Robert and Schweiger, Jonas and Steinbach, Marc and Willert, Bernhard}, title = {Optimierung Technischer Kapazit{\"a}ten in Gasnetzen}, series = {Optimierung in der Energiewirtschaft}, booktitle = {Optimierung in der Energiewirtschaft}, publisher = {VDI-Verlag, D{\"u}sseldorf}, pages = {105 -- 114}, year = {2011}, language = {en} } @misc{MartinGeisslerHaynetal., author = {Martin, Alexander and Geißler, Bj{\"o}rn and Hayn, Christine and Hiller, Benjamin and Humpola, Jesco and Koch, Thorsten and Lehmann, Thomas and Morsi, Antonio and Pfetsch, Marc and Schewe, Lars and Schmidt, Martin and Schultz, R{\"u}diger and Schwarz, Robert and Schweiger, Jonas and Steinbach, Marc and Willert, Bernhard}, title = {Optimierung Technischer Kapazit{\"a}ten in Gasnetzen}, issn = {1438-0064}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:0297-zib-15121}, abstract = {Die mittel- und l{\"a}ngerfristige Planung f{\"u}r den Gastransport hat sich durch {\"A}nderungen in den regulatorischen Rahmenbedingungen stark verkompliziert. Kernpunkt ist die Trennung von Gashandel und -transport. Dieser Artikel diskutiert die hieraus resultierenden mathematischen Planungsprobleme, welche als Validierung von Nominierungen und Buchungen, Bestimmung der technischen Kapazit{\"a}t und Topologieplanung bezeichnet werden. Diese mathematischen Optimierungsprobleme werden vorgestellt und L{\"o}sungsans{\"a}tze skizziert.}, language = {de} } @incollection{HumpolaFuegenschuhHilleretal., author = {Humpola, Jesco and F{\"u}genschuh, Armin and Hiller, Benjamin and Koch, Thorsten and Lehmann, Thomas and Lenz, Ralf and Schwarz, Robert and Schweiger, Jonas}, title = {The Specialized MINLP Approach}, series = {Evaluating Gas Network Capacities}, volume = {SIAM-MOS series on Optimization}, booktitle = {Evaluating Gas Network Capacities}, isbn = {9781611973686}, abstract = {We propose an approach to solve the validation of nominations problem using mixed-integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) methods. Our approach handles both the discrete settings and the nonlinear aspects of gas physics. Our main contribution is an innovative coupling of mixed-integer (linear) programming (MILP) methods with nonlinear programming (NLP) that exploits the special structure of a suitable approximation of gas physics, resulting in a global optimization method for this type of problem.}, language = {en} }