An evolutionary approach for techno-economic assessment

Abstract

An evolutionary framework has been developed for techno-economic assessment at a decision-making level. A Master-Worker strategy based on Genetic Algorithms is proposed. It was enhanced with an ad-hoc chromosome redefinition, exclusively designed for techno-economic optimization. Specialized crossover and mutation operators were implemented so that the decision-maker places value on the economy of scale and the efficiency in logistics. The methodology enables to tackle systematically changes in the supply of raw materials and market demand altogether. By way of illustration, the eventual natural gas (NG) winter scarcity in Argentina, where industrial plants are forced to work under low-supply conditions, is discussed. For this case, efficient tactical planning was achieved by means of the optimization of the plants? on/off status, together with the assessment of the weekly NG amounts to be individually provided.