Robust solution of inverse static problems in Modelica: the case for the initialSimplified() operator

Abstract

Solving inverse static initialization problems, in which the outputs of a process are prescribed, is often more numerically challenging than solving direct initialization problem, where inputs are fixed instead. This paper proposes the introduction of a new initialSimplified() operator in Modelica, which allows to solve inverse problems with the same reliability as direct problems, using an intuitive, straightforward Modelica formulation. The proposed solution can be trivially implemented in Modelica tools and will be 100% portable among them, once the new operator is standardized. The usefulness of the proposed approach is demonstrated on a conceptual thermal power generation plant model.