CRC/TRR 154/3: Simulation and control of coupled network differential-algebraic equations (SP C02)

The project aims to develop stable simulations for coupled network DAEs that allow to find feasible and optimal dynamic controls for coupled networks. We focus on networks for gas transport. Couplings of interest arise, for example, from the increasing demand to produce and transport hydrogen in the future.

Here, we address the coupling of hydrogen and natural gas transport networks. Until 2040, new pipelines for the transport of hydrogen with a length of about 12,000 km shall be installed in Europe and combined with the existing network for natural gas. One important cost factor is the installation of new compressors that are needed because of hydrogen’s low molecular weight.

Firstly, we develop a simulation approach that allows to test whether such an extended pipeline grid has a feasible dynamic control for given booking capacities. A particular focus goes to the treatment of valves and regulators described by piecewise differentiable functions. Secondly, we aim to provide an optimal dynamic control for coupled gas networks using a previously developed approach, that first discretises in space, then optimises and finally discretises in time.