@inproceedings{LeiseAltherrPelz2018, author = {Leise, Philipp and Altherr, Lena and Pelz, Peter F.}, title = {Technical Operations Research (TOR) - Algorithms, not Engineers, Design Optimal Energy Efficient and Resilient Cooling Systems}, series = {FAN2018 - Proceedings of the International Conference on Fan Noise, Aerodynamics, Applications and Systems}, booktitle = {FAN2018 - Proceedings of the International Conference on Fan Noise, Aerodynamics, Applications and Systems}, pages = {1 -- 12}, year = {2018}, abstract = {The overall energy efficiency of ventilation systems can be improved by considering not only single components, but by considering as well the interplay between every part of the system. With the help of the method "TOR" ("Technical Operations Research"), which was developed at the Chair of Fluid Systems at TU Darmstadt, it is possible to improve the energy efficiency of the whole system by considering all possible design choices programmatically. We show the ability of this systematic design approach with a ventilation system for buildings as a use case example. Based on a Mixed-Integer Nonlinear Program (MINLP) we model the ventilation system. We use binary variables to model the selection of different pipe diameters. Multiple fans are model with the help of scaling laws. The whole system is represented by a graph, where the edges represent the pipes and fans and the nodes represents the source of air for cooling and the sinks, that have to be cooled. At the beginning, the human designer chooses a construction kit of different suitable fans and pipes of different diameters and different load cases. These boundary conditions define a variety of different possible system topologies. It is not possible to consider all topologies by hand. With the help of state of the art solvers, on the other side, it is possible to solve this MINLP. Next to this, we also consider the effects of malfunctions in different components. Therefore, we show a first approach to measure the resilience of the shown example use case. Further, we compare the conventional approach with designs that are more resilient. These more resilient designs are derived by extending the before mentioned model with further constraints, that consider explicitly the resilience of the overall system. We show that it is possible to design resilient systems with this method already in the early design stage and compare the energy efficiency and resilience of these different system designs.}, language = {en} } @incollection{LeiseAltherrPelz2018, author = {Leise, Philipp and Altherr, Lena and Pelz, Peter F.}, title = {Energy-Efficient design of a water supply system for skyscrapers by mixed-integer nonlinear programming}, series = {Operations Research Proceedings 2017}, booktitle = {Operations Research Proceedings 2017}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Cham}, isbn = {978-3-319-89919-0}, doi = {10.1007/978-3-319-89920-6_63}, year = {2018}, abstract = {The energy-efficiency of technical systems can be improved by a systematic design approach. Technical Operations Research (TOR) employs methods known from Operations Research to find a global optimal layout and operation strategy of technical systems. We show the practical usage of this approach by the systematic design of a decentralized water supply system for skyscrapers. All possible network options and operation strategies are modeled by a Mixed-Integer Nonlinear Program. We present the optimal system found by our approach and highlight the energy savings compared to a conventional system design.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{LeiseAltherr2018, author = {Leise, Philipp and Altherr, Lena}, title = {Optimizing the design and control of decentralized water supply systems - a case-study of a hotel building}, series = {EngOpt 2018 Proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Engineering Optimization}, booktitle = {EngOpt 2018 Proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Engineering Optimization}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Cham}, isbn = {978-3-319-97773-7}, doi = {10.1007/978-3-319-97773-7_107}, pages = {1241 -- 1252}, year = {2018}, abstract = {To increase pressure to supply all floors of high buildings with water, booster stations, normally consisting of several parallel pumps in the basement, are used. In this work, we demonstrate the potential of a decentralized pump topology regarding energy savings in water supply systems of skyscrapers. We present an approach, based on Mixed-Integer Nonlinear Programming, that allows to choose an optimal network topology and optimal pumps from a predefined construction kit comprising different pump types. Using domain-specific scaling laws and Latin Hypercube Sampling, we generate different input sets of pump types and compare their impact on the efficiency and cost of the total system design. As a realistic application example, we consider a hotel building with 325 rooms, 12 floors and up to four pressure zones.}, language = {en} } @incollection{LeiseAltherr2021, author = {Leise, Philipp and Altherr, Lena}, title = {Experimental evaluation of resilience metrics in a fluid system}, series = {Mastering Uncertainty in Mechanical Engineering}, booktitle = {Mastering Uncertainty in Mechanical Engineering}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Cham}, isbn = {978-3-030-78356-3}, pages = {442 -- 447}, year = {2021}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{GrundAltherr2023, author = {Grund, Raphael M. and Altherr, Lena}, title = {Development of an open source energy disaggregation tool for the home automation platform Home Assistant}, series = {Tagungsband AALE 2023 : mit Automatisierung gegen den Klimawandel}, booktitle = {Tagungsband AALE 2023 : mit Automatisierung gegen den Klimawandel}, editor = {Reiff-Stephan, J{\"o}rg and J{\"a}kel, Jens and Schwarz, Andr{\´e}}, publisher = {le-tex publishing services GmbH}, address = {Leipzig}, isbn = {978-3-910103-01-6}, doi = {10.33968/2023.02}, pages = {11 -- 20}, year = {2023}, abstract = {In order to reduce energy consumption of homes, it is important to make transparent which devices consume how much energy. However, power consumption is often only monitored aggregated at the house energy meter. Disaggregating this power consumption into the contributions of individual devices can be achieved using Machine Learning. Our work aims at making state of the art disaggregation algorithms accessibe for users of the open source home automation platform Home Assistant.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{AltherrPelzEdereretal.2017, author = {Altherr, Lena and Pelz, Peter F. and Ederer, Thorsten and Pfetsch, Marc E.}, title = {Optimale Getriebe auf Knopfdruck: Gemischt-ganzzahlige nichtlineare Optimierung zur Entscheidungsunterst{\"u}tzung bei der Auslegung von Getrieben f{\"u}r Kraftfahrzeuge}, series = {Antriebstechnisches Kolloquium ATK 2017}, booktitle = {Antriebstechnisches Kolloquium ATK 2017}, editor = {Jacobs, Georg}, isbn = {9783743148970}, pages = {313 -- 325}, year = {2017}, language = {de} } @article{AltherrLeisePfetschetal.2018, author = {Altherr, Lena and Leise, Philipp and Pfetsch, Marc E. and Schmitt, Andreas}, title = {Algorithmic design and resilience assessment of energy efficient high-rise water supply systems}, series = {Applied Mechanics and Materials}, volume = {885}, journal = {Applied Mechanics and Materials}, publisher = {Trans Tech Publications}, address = {B{\"a}ch}, issn = {1662-7482}, doi = {10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.885.211}, pages = {211 -- 223}, year = {2018}, abstract = {High-rise water supply systems provide water flow and suitable pressure in all levels of tall buildings. To design such state-of-the-art systems, the consideration of energy efficiency and the anticipation of component failures are mandatory. In this paper, we use Mixed-Integer Nonlinear Programming to compute an optimal placement of pipes and pumps, as well as an optimal control strategy.Moreover, we consider the resilience of the system to pump failures. A resilient system is able to fulfill a predefined minimum functionality even though components fail or are restricted in their normal usage. We present models to measure and optimize the resilience. To demonstrate our approach, we design and analyze an optimal resilient decentralized water supply system inspired by a real-life hotel building.}, language = {en} } @incollection{AltherrLeisePfetschetal.2021, author = {Altherr, Lena and Leise, Philipp and Pfetsch, Marc E. and Schmitt, Andreas}, title = {Optimal design of resilient technical systems on the example of water supply systems}, series = {Mastering Uncertainty in Mechanical Engineering}, booktitle = {Mastering Uncertainty in Mechanical Engineering}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Cham}, isbn = {978-3-030-78356-3}, pages = {429 -- 433}, year = {2021}, language = {en} } @incollection{AltherrLeise2021, author = {Altherr, Lena and Leise, Philipp}, title = {Resilience as a concept for mastering uncertainty}, series = {Mastering Uncertainty in Mechanical Engineering}, booktitle = {Mastering Uncertainty in Mechanical Engineering}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Cham}, isbn = {978-3-030-78353-2}, doi = {10.1007/978-3-030-78354-9}, pages = {412 -- 417}, year = {2021}, language = {en} } @article{AltherrJoggerstLeiseetal.2018, author = {Altherr, Lena and Joggerst, Laura and Leise, Philipp and Pfetsch, Marc E. and Schmitt, Andreas and Wendt, Janine}, title = {On obligations in the development process of resilient systems with algorithmic design methods}, series = {Applied Mechanics and Materials}, volume = {885}, journal = {Applied Mechanics and Materials}, number = {885}, publisher = {Trans Tech Publications}, address = {B{\"a}ch}, isbn = {1662-7482}, doi = {10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.885.240}, pages = {240 -- 252}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Advanced computational methods are needed both for the design of large systems and to compute high accuracy solutions. Such methods are efficient in computation, but the validation of results is very complex, and highly skilled auditors are needed to verify them. We investigate legal questions concerning obligations in the development phase, especially for technical systems developed using advanced methods. In particular, we consider methods of resilient and robust optimization. With these techniques, high performance solutions can be found, despite a high variety of input parameters. However, given the novelty of these methods, it is uncertain whether legal obligations are being met. The aim of this paper is to discuss if and how the choice of a specific computational method affects the developer's product liability. The review of legal obligations in this paper is based on German law and focuses on the requirements that must be met during the design and development process.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{AltherrEdererVergeetal.2015, author = {Altherr, Lena and Ederer, Thorsten and Verg{\´e}, Angela and Pelz, Peter F.}, title = {Algorithmische Struktursynthese eines hydrostatischen Getriebes}, series = {Antriebssysteme 2015 : Elektrik, Mechanik, Fluidtechnik in der Anwendung}, booktitle = {Antriebssysteme 2015 : Elektrik, Mechanik, Fluidtechnik in der Anwendung}, publisher = {VDI-Verlag}, address = {D{\"u}sseldorf}, isbn = {978-3-18-092268-3}, pages = {145 -- 155}, year = {2015}, language = {de} } @inproceedings{AltherrEdererSchaenzleetal.2017, author = {Altherr, Lena and Ederer, Thorsten and Sch{\"a}nzle, Christian and Lorenz, Ulf and Pelz, Peter F.}, title = {Algorithmic system design using scaling and affinity laws}, series = {Operations Research Proceedings 2015}, booktitle = {Operations Research Proceedings 2015}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Cham}, isbn = {978-3-319-42901-4}, doi = {10.1007/978-3-319-42902-1}, pages = {605 -- 611}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Energy-efficient components do not automatically lead to energy-efficient systems. Technical Operations Research (TOR) shifts the focus from the single component to the system as a whole and finds its optimal topology and operating strategy simultaneously. In previous works, we provided a preselected construction kit of suitable components for the algorithm. This approach may give rise to a combinatorial explosion if the preselection cannot be cut down to a reasonable number by human intuition. To reduce the number of discrete decisions, we integrate laws derived from similarity theory into the optimization model. Since the physical characteristics of a production series are similar, it can be described by affinity and scaling laws. Making use of these laws, our construction kit can be modeled more efficiently: Instead of a preselection of components, it now encompasses whole model ranges. This allows us to significantly increase the number of possible set-ups in our model. In this paper, we present how to embed this new formulation into a mixed-integer program and assess the run time via benchmarks. We present our approach on the example of a ventilation system design problem.}, language = {en} } @article{AltherrEdererPoettgenetal.2015, author = {Altherr, Lena and Ederer, Thorsten and P{\"o}ttgen, Philipp and Lorenz, Ulf and Pelz, Peter F.}, title = {Multicriterial optimization of technical systems considering multiple load and availability scenarios}, series = {Applied Mechanics and Materials}, volume = {807}, journal = {Applied Mechanics and Materials}, editor = {Pelz, Peter F. and Groche, Peter}, isbn = {1660-9336}, doi = {10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.807.247}, pages = {247 -- 256}, year = {2015}, abstract = {Cheap does not imply cost-effective -- this is rule number one of zeitgeisty system design. The initial investment accounts only for a small portion of the lifecycle costs of a technical system. In fluid systems, about ninety percent of the total costs are caused by other factors like power consumption and maintenance. With modern optimization methods, it is already possible to plan an optimal technical system considering multiple objectives. In this paper, we focus on an often neglected contribution to the lifecycle costs: downtime costs due to spontaneous failures. Consequently, availability becomes an issue.}, language = {en} } @article{AltherrEdererPfetschetal.2018, author = {Altherr, Lena and Ederer, Thorsten and Pfetsch, Marc E. and Pelz, Peter F.}, title = {Maschinelles Design eines optimalen Getriebes}, series = {ATZ - Automobiltechnische Zeitschrift}, volume = {120}, journal = {ATZ - Automobiltechnische Zeitschrift}, number = {10}, publisher = {Springer Nature}, address = {Cham}, isbn = {2192-8800}, doi = {10.1007/s35148-018-0131-3}, pages = {72 -- 77}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Nahezu 100.000 denkbare Strukturen kann ein Getriebe bei gleicher Funktion aufweisen - je nach Ganganzahl und gefordertem Freiheitsgrad. Mit dem traditionellen Ansatz bei der Entwicklung, einzelne vielversprechende Systemkonfigurationen manuell zu identifizieren und zu vergleichen, k{\"o}nnen leicht innovative und vor allem kostenminimale L{\"o}sungen {\"u}bersehen werden. Im Rahmen eines Forschungsprojekts hat die TU Darmstadt spezielle Optimierungsmethoden angewendet, um auch bei großen L{\"o}sungsr{\"a}umen zielsicher ein f{\"u}r die individuellen Zielstellungen optimales Layout zu finden.}, language = {de} } @incollection{AltherrEdererLorenzetal.2016, author = {Altherr, Lena and Ederer, Thorsten and Lorenz, Ulf and Pelz, Peter F. and P{\"o}ttgen, Philipp}, title = {Designing a feedback control system via mixed-integer programming}, series = {Operations Research Proceedings 2014: Selected Papers of the Annual International Conference of the German Operations Research}, booktitle = {Operations Research Proceedings 2014: Selected Papers of the Annual International Conference of the German Operations Research}, editor = {L{\"u}bbecke, Marco E. and Koster, Arie and Letmathe, Peter and Madlener, Reihard and Preis, Britta and Walther, Grit}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Cham}, isbn = {978-3-319-28695-2}, doi = {10.1007/978-3-319-28697-6_18}, pages = {121 -- 127}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Pure analytical or experimental methods can only find a control strategy for technical systems with a fixed setup. In former contributions we presented an approach that simultaneously finds the optimal topology and the optimal open-loop control of a system via Mixed Integer Linear Programming (MILP). In order to extend this approach by a closed-loop control we present a Mixed Integer Program for a time discretized tank level control. This model is the basis for an extension by combinatorial decisions and thus for the variation of the network topology. Furthermore, one is able to appraise feasible solutions using the global optimality gap.}, language = {en} } @article{AltherrEdererLorenzetal.2014, author = {Altherr, Lena and Ederer, Thorsten and Lorenz, Ulf and Pelz, Peter F. and P{\"o}ttgen, Philipp}, title = {Experimental validation of an enhanced system synthesis approach}, series = {Operations Research Proceedings 2014}, journal = {Operations Research Proceedings 2014}, editor = {L{\"u}bbecke, Marco and Koster, Arie and Letmathe, Peter and Madlener, Reihard and Peis, Britta and Walther, Grit}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Basel}, isbn = {978-3-319-28695-2}, doi = {10.1007/978-3-319-28697-6_1}, pages = {6}, year = {2014}, abstract = {Planning the layout and operation of a technical system is a common task for an engineer. Typically, the workflow is divided into consecutive stages: First, the engineer designs the layout of the system, with the help of his experience or of heuristic methods. Secondly, he finds a control strategy which is often optimized by simulation. This usually results in a good operating of an unquestioned sys- tem topology. In contrast, we apply Operations Research (OR) methods to find a cost-optimal solution for both stages simultaneously via mixed integer program- ming (MILP). Technical Operations Research (TOR) allows one to find a provable global optimal solution within the model formulation. However, the modeling error due to the abstraction of physical reality remains unknown. We address this ubiq- uitous problem of OR methods by comparing our computational results with mea- surements in a test rig. For a practical test case we compute a topology and control strategy via MILP and verify that the objectives are met up to a deviation of 8.7\%.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{AltherrEdererFarnetaneetal.2017, author = {Altherr, Lena and Ederer, Thorsten and Farnetane, Lucas S. and P{\"o}ttgen, Philipp and Verg{\´e}, Angela and Pelz, Peter F.}, title = {Multicriterial design of a hydrostatic transmission system via mixed-integer programming}, series = {Operations Research Proceedings 2015}, booktitle = {Operations Research Proceedings 2015}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Cham}, isbn = {978-3-319-42901-4}, doi = {10.1007/978-3-319-42902-1_41}, pages = {301 -- 307}, year = {2017}, abstract = {In times of planned obsolescence the demand for sustainability keeps growing. Ideally, a technical system is highly reliable, without failures and down times due to fast wear of single components. At the same time, maintenance should preferably be limited to pre-defined time intervals. Dispersion of load between multiple components can increase a system's reliability and thus its availability inbetween maintenance points. However, this also results in higher investment costs and additional efforts due to higher complexity. Given a specific load profile and resulting wear of components, it is often unclear which system structure is the optimal one. Technical Operations Research (TOR) finds an optimal structure balancing availability and effort. We present our approach by designing a hydrostatic transmission system.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{AltherrDoeringFrauenrathetal.2024, author = {Altherr, Lena and D{\"o}ring, Bernd and Frauenrath, Tobias and Groß, Rolf and Mohan, Nijanthan and Oyen, Marc and Schnittcher, Lukas and Voß, Norbert}, title = {DiggiTwin: ein interdisziplin{\"a}res Projekt zur Nutzung digitaler Zwillinge auf dem Weg zu einem klimaneutralen Geb{\"a}udebestand}, series = {Tagungsband AALE 2024 : Fit f{\"u}r die Zukunft: praktische L{\"o}sungen f{\"u}r die industrielle Automation}, booktitle = {Tagungsband AALE 2024 : Fit f{\"u}r die Zukunft: praktische L{\"o}sungen f{\"u}r die industrielle Automation}, editor = {Reiff-Stephan, J{\"o}rg and J{\"a}kel, Jens and Schwarz, Andr{\´e}}, publisher = {le-tex publishing services GmbH}, address = {Leipzig}, isbn = {978-3-910103-02-3}, doi = {10.33968/2024.67}, pages = {341 -- 346}, year = {2024}, abstract = {Im Hinblick auf die Klimaziele der Bundesrepublik Deutschland konzentriert sich das Projekt Diggi Twin auf die nachhaltige Geb{\"a}udeoptimierung. Grundlage f{\"u}r eine ganzheitliche Geb{\"a}ude{\"u}berwachung und -optimierung bildet dabei die Digitalisierung und Automation im Sinne eines Smart Buildings. Das interdisziplin{\"a}re Projekt der FH Aachen hat das Ziel, ein bestehendes Hochschulgeb{\"a}ude und einen Neubau an klimaneutrale Standards anzupassen. Im Rahmen des Projekts werden bekannte Verfahren, wie das Building Information Modeling (BIM), so erweitert, dass ein digitaler Geb{\"a}udezwilling entsteht. Dieser kann zur Optimierung des Geb{\"a}udebetriebs herangezogen werden, sowie als Basis f{\"u}r eine Erweiterung des Bewertungssystems Nachhaltiges Bauen (BNB) dienen. Mithilfe von Sensortechnologie und k{\"u}nstlicher Intelligenz kann so ein pr{\"a}zises Monitoring wichtiger Geb{\"a}udedaten erfolgen, um ungenutzte Energieeinsparpotenziale zu erkennen und zu nutzen. Das Projekt erforscht und setzt methodische Erkenntnisse zu BIM und digitalen Geb{\"a}udezwillingen praxisnah um, indem es spezifische Fragen zur Energie- und Ressourceneffizienz von Geb{\"a}uden untersucht und konkrete L{\"o}sungen f{\"u}r die Geb{\"a}udeoptimierung entwickelt.}, language = {de} } @incollection{AltherrDoerigEdereretal.2017, author = {Altherr, Lena and D{\"o}rig, Bastian and Ederer, Thorsten and Pelz, Peter Franz and Pfetsch, Marc and Wolf, Jan}, title = {A mixed-integer nonlinear program for the design of gearboxes}, series = {Operations Research Proceedings 2016}, booktitle = {Operations Research Proceedings 2016}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Cham}, isbn = {978-3-319-55701-4}, doi = {10.1007/978-3-319-55702-1_31}, pages = {227 -- 233}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Gearboxes are mechanical transmission systems that provide speed and torque conversions from a rotating power source. Being a central element of the drive train, they are relevant for the efficiency and durability of motor vehicles. In this work, we present a new approach for gearbox design: Modeling the design problem as a mixed-integer nonlinear program (MINLP) allows us to create gearbox designs from scratch for arbitrary requirements and—given enough time—to compute provably globally optimal designs for a given objective. We show how different degrees of freedom influence the runtime and present an exemplary solution.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{AltherrConzenElsenetal.2023, author = {Altherr, Lena and Conzen, Max and Elsen, Ingo and Frauenrath, Tobias and Lyrmann, Andreas}, title = {Sensor retrofitting of existing buildings in an interdisciplinary teaching project at university level}, series = {Tagungsband AALE 2023 : mit Automatisierung gegen den Klimawandel}, booktitle = {Tagungsband AALE 2023 : mit Automatisierung gegen den Klimawandel}, editor = {Reiff-Stephan, J{\"o}rg and J{\"a}kel, Jens and Schwarz, Andr{\´e}}, publisher = {le-tex publishing services GmbH}, address = {Leipzig}, isbn = {978-3-910103-01-6}, doi = {10.33968/2023.04}, pages = {31 -- 40}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Existing residential buildings have an average lifetime of 100 years. Many of these buildings will exist for at least another 50 years. To increase the efficiency of these buildings while keeping costs at reasonable rates, they can be retrofitted with sensors that deliver information to central control units for heating, ventilation and electricity. This retrofitting process should happen with minimal intervention into existing infrastructure and requires new approaches for sensor design and data transmission. At FH Aachen University of Applied Sciences, students of different disciplines work together to learn how to design, build, deploy and operate such sensors. The presented teaching project already created a low power design for a combined CO2, temperature and humidity measurement device that can be easily integrated into most home automation systems}, language = {en} }