Optimization Based Decision Making for the Natural Gas Pipeline Network at Emera Energy

Emera Energy(EE)是Emera Inc.的全资子公司，不受监管，在美国和加拿大的天然气和电力市场运营。天然气(NG)是一种非常不稳定的大宗商品，每天在现货和远期市场进行交易。像EE这样的天然气营销者优化其投资组合的方法之一是对远期市场中储存设施和运输资产的内在价值进行对冲，然后优化他们在日常市场的交易。商业分析小组协助交易小组作出商业上有益的决策，评估和优化**资产，报告业绩和市场。目前，他们有兴趣使用大数据分析**能力，为本质上是非线性资产管理和**网络流量问题的问题提供基于优化的解决方案。EE已经发现他们的分析能力存在差距。目前，还没有用于决策的资产和**网络流量优化框架。**本项目寻求基于天然气流量存储和**运输优化的运筹学技术来缩小这一差距。它将为Emera Energy，Inc.的天然气储存和运输**基于优化的决策支持系统奠定基础。项目成功完成后，**分析师将能够在运营层面(日常)优化天然气在网络中的流动(基于资产权利和管道**能力可用性)；在战术层面(年度)，他们将能够**评估其网络的预期价值并做出资产购买决策。此外，他们将能够**使用模拟来估计需求参数，并使用优化模型**来评估参数对利润最大化的最优决策的影响。

Emera Energy (EE) is a wholly owned unregulated subsidiary of Emera Inc. which operates in the physical**natural gas and electricity markets in the United States and Canada. Natural gas (NG) is a very volatile**commodity and is traded daily along the spot and forward markets. One of the ways in which natural gas**marketers such as EE optimize their portfolio is by hedging the intrinsic value of storage facilities and**transportation assets in the forward markets and then optimizing their trade in daily markets. The commercial**analytics group assists the trading groups in making commercially beneficial decisions, valuing and optimizing**assets, reporting on performance and markets. Currently, they are interested in using big data analytic**capabilities in providing optimization based solutions for what are essentially non-linear asset management and**network flow problems. EE has identified a gap in their analytical capabilities. Currently, there is no asset and**network flow optimization framework for decision making.**This project seeks to close the gap based on operational research techniques for natural gas flow storage and**transportation optimization. It will lay the groundwork for an optimization based decision support system for**natural gas storage and transportation at Emera Energy, Inc.. Upon successful completion of the project,**analysts will be able to optimize the flow of NG through the network (based on asset rights and pipeline**capacity availability) at an operational level (daily basis); at the tactical level (annual basis), they will be able to**evaluate the expected value of their network and make asset purchase decisions. Furthermore, they will be able**to conduct "what-if scenarios" using simulation to estimate demand parameters and use the optimization model**to evaluate the impact of the parameters on the optimal decisions for profit maximization.