Modeling competition Optimula 2010

Challenge: optimization of waste treatment network

The Optimula Contest, sponsored by the Polytechnic University of Madrid, is designed for undergraduate students in Spain.

The topic for the 2010 competition is deciding where to install a set of waste treatment plants and capacity in order to treat a defined residue. All with least cost while considering the entire logistics network.

Modeling

Two modeling techniques are to be applied: linear programming and discrete event simulation. For the linear programming part, students have been provided with an AIMMS license with Gurobi.

Students working together using AIMMS

According to professor Miguel Ortega Mier of the Polytechnical University of Madrid, “This modeling competition is a very efficient and stimulating way to have students work together and apply their modeling classes to real life problems. Working with AIMMS ensures their focus on the actual modeling and solving and not on any programming”.

The prizes were awarded last month during the 4th International Conference On Industrial Engineering and Industrial Management. Check out the winners at the optimula website.