TY - JOUR A1 - Van Bulck, David A1 - Goossens, Dries A1 - Clarner, Jan-Patrick A1 - Dimitsas, Angelos A1 - Fonseca, Georg H. G. A1 - Lamas-Fernandez, Carlos A1 - Lester, Martin Mariusz A1 - Pedersen, Jaap A1 - Phillips, Antony E. A1 - Rosati, Roberto Maria T1 - Which algorithm to select in sports timetabling? JF - European Journal of Operational Research N2 - Any sports competition needs a timetable, specifying when and where teams meet each other. The recent International Timetabling Competition (ITC2021) on sports timetabling showed that, although it is possible to develop general algorithms, the performance of each algorithm varies considerably over the problem instances. This paper provides a problem type analysis for sports timetabling, resulting in powerful insights into the strengths and weaknesses of eight state-of-the-art algorithms. Based on machine learning techniques, we propose an algorithm selection system that predicts which algorithm is likely to perform best based on the type of competition and constraints being used (i.e., the problem type) in a given sports timetabling problem instance. Furthermore, we visualize how the problem type relates to algorithm performance, providing insights and possibilities to further enhance several algorithms. Finally, we assess the empirical hardness of the instances. Our results are based on large computational experiments involving about 50 years of CPU time on more than 500 newly generated problem instances. Y1 - 2024 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejor.2024.06.005 VL - 318 IS - 2 SP - 575 EP - 591 ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Zittel, Janina A1 - Clarner, Jan-Patrick A1 - Tawfik, Christine A1 - Dykes, Maxwell A1 - Rivetta, Fabian A1 - Riedmüller, Stephanie T1 - A multi-objective optimization strategy for district heating production portfolio planning T2 - 37th International Conference on Efficiency, Cost, Optimization, Simulation and Environmental Impact of Energy Systems (ECOS 2024) N2 - The imperative to decarbonize energy systems has intensified the need for efficient transformations within the heating sector, with a particular focus on district heating networks. This study addresses this challenge by proposing a comprehensive optimization approach evaluated on the district heating network of the Märkisches Viertel of Berlin. Our objective is to simultaneously optimize heat production with three targets: minimizing costs, minimizing CO2-emissions, and maximizing heat generation from Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plants for enhanced efficiency. To tackle this optimization problem, we employed a Mixed-Integer Linear Program (MILP) that encompasses the conversion of various fuels into heat and power, integration with relevant markets, and considerations for technical constraints on power plant operation. These constraints include startup and minimum downtime, activation costs, and storage limits. The ultimate goal is to delineate the Pareto front, representing the optimal trade-offs between the three targets. We evaluate variants of the 𝜖-constraint algorithm for their effectiveness in coordinating these objectives, with a simultaneous focus on the quality of the estimated Pareto front and computational efficiency. One algorithm explores solutions on an evenly spaced grid in the objective space, while another dynamically adjusts the grid based on identified solutions. Initial findings highlight the strengths and limitations of each algorithm, providing guidance on algorithm selection depending on desired outcomes and computational constraints. Our study emphasizes that the optimal choice of algorithm hinges on the density and distribution of solutions in the feasible space. Whether solutions are clustered or evenly distributed significantly influences algorithm performance. These insights contribute to a nuanced understanding of algorithm selection for multi-objective multi-energy system optimization, offering valuable guidance for future research and practical applications for planning sustainable district heating networks. Y1 - 2024 U6 - https://doi.org/10.52202/077185-0066 SP - 764 EP - 775 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Aigner, Kevin-Martin A1 - Clarner, Jan-Patrick A1 - Liers, Frauke A1 - Martin, Alexander T1 - Robust Approximation of Chance Constrained DC Optimal Power Flow under Decision-Dependent Uncertainty JF - European Journal of Operational Research N2 - We propose a mathematical optimization model and its solution for joint chance constrained DC Optimal Power Flow. In this application, it is particularly important that there is a high probability of transmission limits being satisfied, even in the case of uncertain or fluctuating feed-in from renewable energy sources. In critical network situations where the network risks overload, renewable energy feed-in has to be curtailed by the transmission system operator (TSO). The TSO can reduce the feed-in in discrete steps at each network node. The proposed optimization model minimizes curtailment while ensuring that there is a high probability of transmission limits being maintained. The latter is modeled via (joint) chance constraints that are computationally challenging. Thus, we propose a solution approach based on the robust safe approximation of these constraints. Hereby, probabilistic constraints are replaced by robust constraints with suitably defined uncertainty sets constructed from historical data. The ability to discretely control the power feed-in then leads to a robust optimization problem with decision-dependent uncertainties, i.e. the uncertainty sets depend on decision variables. We propose an equivalent mixed-integer linear reformulation for box uncertainties with the exact linearization of bilinear terms. Finally, we present numerical results for different test cases from the Nesta archive, as well as for a real network. We consider the discrete curtailment of solar feed-in, for which we use real-world weather and network data. The experimental tests demonstrate the effectiveness of this method and run times are very fast. Moreover, on average the calculated robust solutions only lead to a small increase in curtailment, when compared to nominal solutions. Y1 - 2021 ER - TY - GEN A1 - Kempke, Nils-Christian A1 - Kunt, Tim A1 - Katamish, Bassel A1 - Vanaret, Charlie A1 - Sasanpour, Shima A1 - Clarner, Jan-Patrick A1 - Koch, Thorsten T1 - Developing heuristic solution techniques for large-scale unit commitment models N2 - Shifting towards renewable energy sources and reducing carbon emissions necessitate sophisticated energy system planning, optimization, and extension. Energy systems optimization models (ESOMs) often form the basis for political and operational decision-making. ESOMs are frequently formulated as linear (LPs) and mixed-integer linear (MIP) problems. MIPs allow continuous and discrete decision variables. Consequently, they are substantially more expressive than LPs but also more challenging to solve. The ever-growing size and complexity of ESOMs take a toll on the computational time of state-of-the-art commercial solvers. Indeed, for large-scale ESOMs, solving the LP relaxation -- the basis of modern MIP solution algorithms -- can be very costly. These time requirements can render ESOM MIPs impractical for real-world applications. This article considers a set of large-scale decarbonization-focused unit commitment models with expansion decisions based on the REMix framework (up to 83 million variables and 900,000 discrete decision variables). For these particular instances, the solution to the LP relaxation and the MIP optimum lie close. Based on this observation, we investigate the application of relaxation-enforced neighborhood search (RENS), machine learning guided rounding, and a fix-and-propagate (FP) heuristic as a standalone solution method. Our approach generated feasible solutions 20 to 100 times faster than GUROBI, achieving comparable solution quality with primal-dual gaps as low as 1% and up to 35%. This enabled us to solve numerous scenarios without lowering the quality of our models. For some instances that Gurobi could not solve within two days, our FP method provided feasible solutions in under one hour. T3 - ZIB-Report - 25-03 KW - Energy system optimization models KW - Unit commitment KW - Mixed-integer programming KW - Large-scale optimization KW - Primal heuristics Y1 - 2025 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:0297-zib-99555 SN - 1438-0064 ER - TY - GEN A1 - Clarner, Jan-Patrick A1 - Tawfik, Christine A1 - Koch, Thorsten A1 - Zittel, Janina T1 - Network-induced Unit Commitment - A model class for investment and production portfolio planning for multi-energy systems N2 - In light of the energy transition production planning of future decarbonized energy systems lead to very large and complex optimization problems. A widely used modeling paradigm for modeling and solving such problems is mathematical programming. While there are various scientific energy system models and modeling tools, most of them do not provide the necessary level of detail or the modeling flexibility to be applicable for industrial usage. Industrial modeling tools, on the other hand, provide a high level of detail and modeling flexibility. However, those models often exhibit a size and complexity that restricts their scope to a time horizon of several months, severely complicating long-term planning. As a remedy, we propose a model class that is detailed enough for real-world usage but still compact enough for long-term planning. The model class is based on a generalized unit commitment problem on a network with investment decisions. The focus lies on the topological dependency of different energy production and transportation units. T3 - ZIB-Report - 22-16 KW - Multi-energy systems KW - Unit commitment KW - Investment planning Y1 - 2022 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:0297-zib-87607 SN - 1438-0064 ER -