Parameter studies for energy networks with examples from gas transport

The focus of this chapter is on methods for the analysis of parameter variations of energy networks and, in particular, long-distance gas transport networks including compressor stations. Gas transport is modeled by unsteady Eulerian flow of compressible, natural gas in pipeline distribution networks together with a gas law and equations describing temperature effects. Such problems can lead to large systems of nonlinear equations with constraints that are computationally expensive to solve by themselves, more so if parameter studies are conducted and the system has to be solved repeatedly. Metamodels will thus play a decisive role in the general workflows and practical examples discussed here.