Project Overview (2011 - 2014)

Optimisation-based control systems concern the determination of control strategies for complex, dynamic systems, to optimise some measures of best performance. It has the potential for application to a wide range of fields, including aerospace, chemical processing, power systems control, transportation systems and resource economics. It is of  special relevance today, because optimization provides a natural framework for determining control strategies, which are energy efficient and respect environmental constraints.

The multi-partner initial training network SADCO aims at: Training young researchers and future scientific leaders in the field of control theory with emphasis on two major themes sensitivity of optimal strategies to changes in the optimal control problem specification, and deterministic controller design; Advancing the theory and developing new numerical methods; Conveying fundamental scientific contributions within European industrial sectors.

In order to reach these objectives, SADCO establishes a collaborative research and training network of 11 full partners from both the academic and industrial sectors, and gathers participants with expertises in complementary disciplines in mathematics and engineering. The network also offers a complete range of theoretical, practical and complementary training as well as scientific workshops. SADCO will work together with the young researchers to develop and implement effective training plans tailored to each individual requirements. Multi-disciplinary training based on the integrated scientific programme, secondments, regular meetings, active networking, will ensure the success of this projects.

The development of new 'clean' technologies in power, transportation and other domains is a major opportunity for EU industries. The research programme will help place EU universities in the forefront of Optimal Control, a field of mathematics that supports these technologies.

The training programme, based on institutions covering the principal areas of the field, will provide a new generation of young mathematicians with broad skills in Optimal Control, which are not readily acquired at one institution alone. They will be equipped to take forward research in Optimal Control at universities, or to work in related, emerging technological areas, of vital importance to society.

This project is supported by the European Union under the 7th Framework Programme «FP7-PEOPLE-2010-ITN». Grant agreement number 264735-SADCO.  

Sadko is a character of a Russian medieval epic, an adventurer, merchant and gusli musician.