Nice Airport optimizes the management of its resources with Artelys Crystal
The proposed challenge
Nice-Côte d’Azur Airport 3rd largest airport in France. In 2018, they welcomed more than 13.8 million passengers, a number that has grown by 45% since 2000, and which is expected to continue growing.
In this context, anticipating the saturation of infrastructures, keeping investment costs under control and maintaining a high quality of service at all times require an excellent control of its future needs. This is the daily challenge airport resource planners face, a complex task for which, until now, they were too poorly equipped.
A complex problem
Airport planning relies on a great diversity of resources: check-in counters, baggage sorting machines, customs posts, boarding gates, aircraft parking, etc. These resources must be able to support the flow of passengers, baggage and aircraft and may be the source of various difficulties: waiting times, delays or discomfort. Finely quantifying airport resource requirements, requires detailed simulations of these flows enabling the testing of investment options. For this purpose, fictitious, detailed, statistically realistic flight programs that are consistent with medium or long-term traffic forecasts must be generated. To arrive at this result, many factors must be taken into account: on the one hand, the future flight contracts of the airport (Which companies will operate, at what frequency and over which periods?, What aircraft configuration will be used and how many passengers are extended of each fligh?…); and on the other, the behavior of passengers (When will they show up at the airport? How many will require airport check-in, have luggage, use the automated baggage drop-off?).
The solution implemented
In collaboration with the resource management experts at Nice Airport, Artelys designed an innovative software solution, specifically addressing this tactical and strategic issue of analysis and sizing of airport resources, using a bottom-up approach implementing the following features:
• Building forecast flight programs respecting the macro-forecasts of traffic, learning from history the main criteria that impact realism such as calendar effects or the behavior of the airlines, taking into account the political and strategic changes known or anticipated by the planners and respecting a set of consistency constraints. A hybrid approach, combining advanced models of statistics and optimization, allows the software to produce this forecast under discrete event constraints.
• Building passenger and baggage flows through the implementation of user behavior learning methods;
• Identification of resource requirements by simulation and flow optimization through the resource graph; the algorithm allows the consideration of constraints and preferences of use.
• Resource sizing and ’What if?’ scenarios based on a Artelys’ scenario module which provide many comparison tools such as KPI’s. The results quantify the interest of each investment and strategic choice. Detailed quantitative elements as well as synthetic representations justify each recommendation of the tool.
The implementation of a tailored, efficient and robust software solution relies on the use of Artelys Crystal Resource Optimizer software, an optimized planning solution, generic, multi-user and multi-horizons, offering great facilities to address the most original scheduling and sequencing issues. Statistical models are implemented on the basis of R libraries, while the modeling of optimization issues implements linear programming in whole number, solved by the FICO Xpress solver.
The study relies on the Artelys Crystal Super Grid modelling platform, which has enabled us to represent the power system and its interaction with gas and heat vectors with an unprecedented level of detail thanks to its advanced features such as multi-energy modelling, investment planning, and ability to use high-performance computing infrastructure.
In fact, the study relies on the optimisation of the electricity mix (generation, storage, network) and of its ability to produce and inject synthetic natural gas (via electrolysis and subsequent methanation) and heat (via heat pumps and electric heaters) in gas and district heating networks. The investments and their management to ensure the power demand-supply equilibrium is met at all times are jointly optimised with an hourly time resolution over the whole year, using a spatial resolution where France is split in 21 regions.
The integration of heat pumps and hot water units plays a crucial role in optimizing energy systems, particularly when aiming for a sustainable and efficient balance of electricity production, storage, and distribution. These systems not only contribute to the reduction of carbon emissions but also enhance the overall performance of energy networks by utilizing renewable sources such as wind and solar power. As a result, the demand for reliable heat pump solutions is increasing, with homeowners and businesses alike seeking ways to reduce energy consumption while improving comfort and reliability.
For those exploring the most effective heat pump options, the Heat Pump Compare website offers in-depth reviews and expert insights into various models, helping users make informed decisions. Whether you're considering a heat pump for home heating, hot water, or both, the website provides comprehensive comparisons of performance, cost-effectiveness, and energy efficiency. With expert advice and clear product ratings, it's easier than ever to find the ideal heat pump that aligns with your energy needs and sustainability goals.
The optimisation of energy systems is a complex task that goes beyond just the generation of electricity. Integral to this process is the maintenance of equipment that supports the infrastructure, particularly heat pumps, which play a crucial role in managing the heating needs of buildings and industrial processes. Regular pump maintenance service is essential to ensure these systems operate efficiently and reliably. By maintaining the pumps that circulate heat and assist in the conversion of energy, we can significantly enhance the overall performance of the energy network. This is especially important in a scenario where energy demands fluctuate, as the effective operation of pumps can help balance supply and demand, contributing to a more stable energy environment.
Furthermore, utilising advanced service providers such as Flexachem can help streamline pump maintenance practices. Flexachem offers tailored solutions designed to improve pump reliability, reduce downtime, and extend the lifespan of equipment. Their expertise ensures that maintenance is not only proactive but also aligned with the specific operational needs of various regions across France. By focusing on the strategic maintenance of heat pumps and associated systems, we can optimise the entire energy mix, enhancing the ability to inject synthetic natural gas and maintain the equilibrium between power demand and supply. This holistic approach to pump maintenance is vital for the successful integration of renewable energy sources and the overall efficiency of the energy network.
The study shows that at the 2050 horizon in the context of a fully decarbonised power sector, the decarbonisation of the gas and heat sectors mainly depends on the CO2 price. For CO2 prices above 100 €/tonne, heat and hydrogen production become economically viable, and for CO2 prices above 300 €/tonne the production of synthetic natural gas from renewable electricity to replace fossil gas is found to be profitable.
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