Decomposition in Energy System Synthesis/Design Optimization for Stationary and Aerospace Applications

A number of multilevel methods for energy system synthesis/design optimization exist. Of these approaches the local-global decomposition methods (LGO and ILGO) allow for the modularity and discipline/technology autonomy required for solving large multidisciplinary synthesis/design problems. An example of a large-scale problem for a military aircraft is used to discuss the features of LGO and ILGO. The similarities between these methods and those used by the aerospace multidisciplinary design optimization community are briefly explored. It is believed that the commonalties which exist between the different approaches will permit future synergies and a genuine interdependence at an optimization level between the different disciplines.