Optimization in Simulation-Based Models

This tutorial provides an overview of the emerging area of simulation-based optimization. The unifying theme is the need to optimize systems governed by differential equations or other complex simulations. Optimal control, parameter identification, optimal design and inverse problems give rise to simulation-based optimization problems.

As the capabilities of both optimization and differential equations solvers increase, there is a growing interest in industry and science to optimize the performance of systems described by complex simulations. Solving these optimization problems poses a major challenge since it requires multiple solutions of the simulation problem -- a task that is by itself complex, delicate and computationally intensive. To be successful the optimization process must tightly coupled to the requirements of the simulation. The tutorial will present some of the most important applications of simulation-based optimization, will addess the challenges they pose to optimization technology, and will review some of the recent advances that have been made in this area.