Integrated design approach for complex socio-technical systems architecture and optimization – Application to electric cars.

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• Dr. Abdelkrim Doufene, Engineering Systems Division / Strategic Engineering Research Group, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• Friday 07 November 2014, 12:00-13:00
• EEE Department, Room 503.

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Abstract. Designing complex socio-technical systems is increasingly difficult as the systems increase in size, scope, and complexity. The purpose of this seminar is to introduce an integrated design approach for complex socio-technical systems architecture and optimization. We present an architectural design framework, useful to organize and structure all the views that allow the study of a complex system with a holistic approach. Multi-objective and multidisciplinary optimization and equilibrium models (in the sense of game theory) help considerably during the process of trade-off analysis and decision-making. Data used in these optimization problems are gathered according to the system descriptions following the architectural design framework. The framework separates clearly the problem definition space and the solution design space thanks to different abstraction levels. Furthermore, this approach shows the importance of taking into account the life cycles of the system of interest and of the external systems in modeling the optimization problems. The assessment of the life cycle properties highlights some parameters that contribute effectively to the integration of the system in its environment. Finally, we underline that simulation can significantly reduce engineering costs and time. We illustrate this approach through practical examples related to electric cars. We present the optimization models used for architectural choices and the optimization models used to find an architectural equilibrium, which are different depending on the context and type of decisions being made. The optimization for the choice of architectures, depending on endogenous parameters, is illustrated by a practical example in which the system of interest is the electric powertrain of an electric car. The optimization for architectural equilibrium, depending on endogenous and exogenous parameters, is illustrated by a practical example in which the system of interest is the electric car in its ecosystem. The link between the architectural equilibrium and the choice of architectures is explained. Indeed, some criteria which could contribute to the success of electric cars depend not only on their characteristics, but also on other parameters coming from their environment and associated business models. In order to introduce this new type of vehicles in the market, new services require extending the study to a larger scope mixing the cars and the infrastructure. These cars must be reviewed in the light of their life cycle and their total cost of ownership with a system of systems perspective in the sense that there are many interdependent stakeholders (customers, producers, energy suppliers, regulatory authorities, telecommunication operators, governments, financial institutions, etc.) and enabling systems around the electric cars.

Biography Dr. Abdelkrim Doufene is a Postdoctoral Associate in the Engineering Systems Division (ESD) at MIT . His present work focuses on the architecture of large-scale socio-technical systems for water desalination and solar energy. His research interests include architecture of complex systems, decision and information systems, geographic information systems, multi-disciplinary analysis and optimization, game theory, data mining, as well as technology innovation policy. Abdelkrim Doufene obtained a Ph.D. from École Polytechnique in France in 2013. He holds the Paristech Doctoral Program in Management certificate from the ENPC School of International Management. He holds a master degree in decision and information systems from Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, ESSEC and CNAM . He also graduated from Ecole Nationale Supérieure d’Informatique in Algeria as a computer scientist – information systems engineer. He was a research engineer at the R&D department (Electric Vehicles Program) for the automaker Renault (2010-2013). He has also taught in different universities and schools in France.

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