GRU-integrated constrained soft actor-critic learning enabled fully distributed scheduling strategy for residential virtual power plant

In this study,a novel residential virtual power plant(RVPP)scheduling method that leverages a gate recurrent unit(GRU)-integrated deep reinforcement learning(DRL)algorithm is proposed.In the proposed scheme,the GRU-integrated DRL algorithm guides the RVPP to participate effectively in both the day-ahead and real-time markets,lowering the electricity purchase costs and consumption risks for end-users.The Lagrangian relaxation technique is introduced to transform the constrained Markov decision process(CMDP)into an unconstrained optimization problem,which guarantees that the constraints are strictly satisfied without determining the penalty coefficients.Furthermore,to enhance the scalability of the constrained soft actor-critic(CSAC)-based RVPP scheduling approach,a fully distributed scheduling architecture was designed to enable plug-and-play in the residential distributed energy resources(RDER).Case studies performed on the constructed RVPP scenario validated the performance of the proposed methodology in enhancing the responsiveness of the RDER to power tariffs,balancing the supply and demand of the power grid,and ensuring customer comfort.

Improved differential evolution algorithm for resource-constrained project scheduling problem

An improved differential evolution（IDE）algorithm that adopts a novel mutation strategy to speed up the convergence rate is introduced to solve the resource-constrained project scheduling problem（RCPSP）with the objective of minimizing project duration Activities priorities for scheduling are represented by individual vectors and a senal scheme is utilized to transform the individual-represented priorities to a feasible schedule according to the precedence and resource constraints so as to be evaluated.To investigate the performance of the IDE-based approach for the RCPSP,it is compared against the meta-heuristic methods of hybrid genetic algorithm（HGA）,particle swarm optimization（PSO） and several well selected heuristics.The results show that the proposed scheduling method is better than general heuristic rules and is able to obtain the same optimal result as the HGA and PSO approaches but more efficient than the two algorithms.

Scheduling Rules Based on Gene Expression Programming for Resource-Constrained Project Scheduling Problem

In order to minimize the project duration of resourceconstrained project scheduling problem( RCPSP), a gene expression programming-based scheduling rule( GEP-SR) method is proposed to automatically discover and select the effective scheduling rules( SRs) which are constructed using the project status and attributes of the activities. SRs are represented by the chromosomes of GEP, and an improved parallel schedule generation scheme( IPSGS) is used to transform the SRs into explicit schedules. The framework of GEP-SR for RCPSP is designed,and the effectiveness of the GEP-SR approach is demonstrated by comparing with other methods on the same instances.

Memetic algorithm for multi-mode resource-constrained project scheduling problems

A memetic algorithm （MA） for a multi-mode resourceconstrained project scheduling problem （MRCPSP） is proposed. We use a new fitness function and two very effective local search procedures in the proposed MA. The fitness function makes use of a mechanism called ＂strategic oscillation＂ to make the search process have a higher probability to visit solutions around a ＂feasible boundary＂. One of the local search procedures aims at improving the lower bound of project makespan to be less than a known upper bound, and another aims at improving a solution of an MRCPSP instance accepting infeasible solutions based on the new fitness function in the search process. A detailed computational experiment is set up using instances from the problem instance library PSPLIB. Computational results show that the proposed MA is very competitive with the state-of-the-art algorithms. The MA obtains improved solutions for one instance of set J30.

Scheduling Multi-Mode Resource-Constrained Projects Using Heuristic Rules Under Uncertainty Environment

Project scheduling is a key objective of many models and is the proposed method for project planning and management.Project scheduling problems depend on precedence relationships and resource constraints,in addition to some other limitations for achieving a subset of goals.Project scheduling problems are dependent on many limitations,including limitations of precedence relationships,resource constraints,and some other limitations for achieving a subset of goals.Deterministic project scheduling models consider all information about the scheduling problem such as activity durations and precedence relationships information resources available and required,which are known and stable during the implementation process.The concept of deterministic project scheduling conflicts with real situations,in which in many cases,some data on the activity’s durations of the project and the degree of availability of resources change or may have different modes and strategies during the process of project implementation for dealing with multi-mode conditions surrounded by projects and their activity durations.Scheduling the multi-mode resource-constrained project problem is an optimization problem whose minimum project duration subject to the availability of resources is of particular interest to us.We use the multi-mode resource allocation and schedulingmodel that takes into account the dynamicity features of all parameters,that is,the scheduling process must be flexible to dynamic environment features.In this paper,we propose five priority heuristic rules for scheduling multi-mode resource-constrained projects under dynamicity features for more realistic situations,in which we apply the proposed heuristic rules(PHR)for scheduling multi-mode resource-constrained projects.Five projects are considered test problems for the PHR.The obtained results rendered by these priority rules for the test problems are compared by the results obtained from 10 well-known heuristics rules rendered for the same test problems.The results in many cases of the proposed priority rules are very promising,where they achieve better scheduling dates in many test case problems and the same results for the others.The proposed model is based on the dynamic features for project topography.

Efficient Genetic Algorithm for Resource-Constrained Project Scheduling Problem

This paper presents a new genetic algorithm for the resource-constrained project scheduling problem(RCPSP).The algorithm employs a standardized random key(SRK) vector representation with an additional gene that determines whether the serial or parallel schedule generation scheme(SGS) is to be used as the decoding procedure.The iterative forward-backward improvement as the local search procedure is applied upon all generated solutions to schedule the project three times and obtain an SRK vector,which is reserved into population.Several evolutionary strategies are implemented including the elitist selection(the high quality solution set),and the selection of parents used in crossover operator.The computational experiments on 1 560 standard instances show that the proposed algorithm outperforms the current state-of-the-art heuristic algorithms for J30 and J60,and ranks the third for J120 with 50 000 schedules;it ranks the second for J30 and J60,and ranks the fifth for J120 with 5 000 schedules;it ranks the third,second,and fifth for J30,J60 and J120 with 1 000 schedules,respectively.It is demonstrated that the proposed algorithm is competitive for RCPSP,especially for larger number of schedules.

An Evolutionary Algorithm with Multi-Local Search for the Resource-Constrained Project Scheduling Problem

This paper introduces a hybrid evolutionary algorithm for the resource-constrained project scheduling problem (RCPSP). Given an RCPSP instance, the algorithm identifies the problem structure and selects a suitable decoding scheme. Then a multi-pass biased sampling method followed up by a multi-local search is used to generate a diverse and good quality initial population. The population then evolves through modified order-based recombination and mutation operators to perform exploration for promising solutions within the entire region. Mutation is performed only if the current population has converged or the produced offspring by recombination operator is too similar to one of his parents. Finally the algorithm performs an intensified local search on the best solution found in the evolutionary stage. Computational experiments using standard instances indicate that the proposed algorithm works well in both computational time and solution quality.

A New Algorithm for Resource Constraint Project Scheduling Problem Based on Multi-Agent Systems

The resource constrained project scheduling problem (RCPSP) and a decision-making model based on multi-agent systems (MAS) and general equilibrium marketing are proposed. An algorithm leading to the resource allocation decision involved in RCPSP has also been developed. And this algorithm can be used in the multi-project scheduling field as well.Finally, an illustration is given.

Solving resource availability cost problem in project scheduling by pseudo particle swarm optimization

This paper considers a project scheduling problem with the objective of minimizing resource availability costs appealed to finish al activities before the deadline. There are finish-start type precedence relations among the activities which require some kinds of renewable resources. We predigest the process of sol-ving the resource availability cost problem （RACP） by using start time of each activity to code the schedule. Then, a novel heuris-tic algorithm is proposed to make the process of looking for the best solution efficiently. And then pseudo particle swarm optimiza-tion （PPSO） combined with PSO and path relinking procedure is presented to solve the RACP. Final y, comparative computational experiments are designed and the computational results show that the proposed method is very effective to solve RACP.

Minimal feasible sets in variable resource constrained projects

To determine the reasonable resource dependent relations between activities for the purpose of exactly computing the total floats and the free floats of activities, correctly identifying critical activities and critical sequences in a project schedule with variable resource constraints, the concept of the minimal feasible set （MFS） is proposed and the properties of MFS are discussed. The methods to identify optimal MFSs and resource links are then studied. Furthermore, MFS is generalized to the situation that the preconditions of MFS are not satisfied. Contrastive results show that in establishing resource links and resolving floats, MFS is at least not inferior to other methods in all cases and is superior in most situations.

A user-oriented resource scheduling method for improving agile software pattern in cloud environment

The crowdsourcing, as a service pattern in cloud environment, usually aims at the cross-disciplinary cooperation and creating value together with customers and becomes increasingly prevalent. Software process, as a kind of software development and management strategy, is defined as a series of activities implemented by software life cycle and provides a set of rules for various phases of the software engineering to achieve the desired objectives. With the current software development cycle getting shorter, facing more frequent needs change and fierce competition, a new resource management pattern is proposed to respond to these issues agilely by introducing the crowdsourcing service to agile software development for pushing the agility of software process. Then, a user-oriented resource scheduling method is proposed for rational use of various resources in the process and maximizing the benefits of all parties. From the experimental results, the proposed pattern and resources scheduling method reduces greatly the resource of project resource manager and increases the team resource utilization rate, which greatly improves the agility of software process and delivers software products quickly in crowdsourcing pattern.

Solving Resource-constrained Multiple Project Scheduling Problem Using Timed Colored Petri Nets

To solve the resource-constrained multiple project scheduling problem(RCMPSP) more effectively,a method based on timed colored Petri net(TCPN) was proposed.In this methodology,firstly a novel mapping mechanism between traditional network diagram such as CPM(critical path method)/PERT(program evaluation and review technique) and TCPN was presented.Then a primary TCPN(PTCPN) for solving RCMPSP was modeled based on the proposed mapping mechanism.Meanwhile,the object PTCPN was used to simulate the multiple projects scheduling and to find the approximately optimal value of RCMPSP.Finally,the performance of the proposed approach for solving RCMPSP was validated by executing a mould manufacturing example.

SOLVING RESOURCE-CONSTRAINED PROJECT SCHEDULING PROBLEMS WITH BI-CRITERIA HEURISTIC SEARCH TECHNIQUES

In this paper we formulate a bi-criteria search strategy of a heuristic learning algorithm forsolving multiple resource-constrained project scheduling problems. The heuristic solves problems intwo phases. In the pre-processing phase, the algorithm estimates distance between a state and the goalstate and measures complexity of problem instances. In the search phase, the algorithm uses estimatesof the pre-processing phase to further estimate distances to the goal state. The search continues in astepwise generation of a series of intermediate states through search path evaluation process withbacktracking. Developments of intermediate states are exclusively based on a bi-criteria new stateselection technique where we consider resource utilization and duration estimate to the goal state. Wealso propose a variable weighting technique based on initial problem complexity measures.Introducing this technique allows the algorithm to efficiently solve complex project schedulingproblems. A numerical example illustra

A dual population multi-operator genetic algorithm for flight deck operations scheduling problem

It is of great significance to carry out effective scheduling for the carrier-based aircraft flight deck operations.In this paper,the precedence constraints and resource constraints in flight deck operations are analyzed,then the model of the multi-aircraft integrated scheduling problem with transfer times(MAISPTT)is established.A dual population multi-operator genetic algorithm(DPMOGA)is proposed for solving the problem.In the algorithm,the dual population structure and random-key encoding modified by starting/ending time of operations are adopted,and multiple genetic operators are self-adaptively used to obtain better encodings.In order to conduct the mapping from encodings to feasible schedules,serial and parallel scheduling generation scheme-based decoding operators,each of which adopts different justified mechanisms in two separated populations,are introduced.The superiority of the DPMOGA is verified by simulation experiments.

考虑双资源约束的柔性机械加工车间逆调度问题研究

为提高机械加工车间在动态生产环境下的效率和稳定性,建立了考虑机器与工人约束的柔性机械加工车间逆调度问题模型。该模型以最小化完工时间、机器能耗和逆偏差指数为目标,通过调整工件排产、工人作业以及机加工工艺参数对原始调度方案进行优化。针对问题特征,提出了一种差分进化算法。在算法中,设计了混合双层编码方式以降低搜索难度;提出了两种基于调度规则的初始化方式以提高种群质量;为加强和平衡全局与局部搜索,设计了自适应遗传操作以及基于精英选择的局部搜索策略;改进了哈明距离,并提出了一种拥挤度算子以反映种群真实多样性。在实验中构建了33组测试算例,并将所提算法与其他7种算法进行对比,验证了所提算法性能。最后,分析了某液压缸生产车间在两种不同动态环境下的真实逆调度案例,结果表明,所提算法能够在较小程度改变原始调度的情况下缩短4.2%的完工时间、降低20.2%的机器能耗。

基于改进遗传算法的装配式渠道生产调度优化

为有效提高装配式渠道生产效率,加快模具周转,降低生产成本,结合装配式渠道生产线养护室数量有限的特点,建立以最小生产周期为目标的装配式渠道生产调度优化模型,设计了求解该模型的改进遗传算法。以新疆石河子金土地水泥制品厂渠道生产线为例,验证生产模型的可行性,通过对比传统顺序生产调度与改进遗传算法得到的优化生产调度,验证改进遗传算法的稳定性与有效性。结果表明,基于改进遗传算法优化装配式渠道的生产调度,可有效降低装配式渠道的生产周期,提高生产效率,达到降低生产成本,提高企业核心竞争力的目的。

面向资源约束的电动公交车充电调度策略

为减少公交运营成本、合理制定插入式充电模式下公交总站的电动公交车充电调度方案,本文基于帝国竞争算法提出了一种面向资源约束的公交车充电调度策略(RCO-CSS)。基于电动公交车运营的时空特点和充放电特性,应用多技能资源约束多项目调度问题(MSRC-MPSP)运筹规划思想对电动公交车充电问题进行抽象建模,以车队规模与充电桩数量为主要资源参数,以最小化充电成本和日均设备购置成本为目标,构建资源约束充电调度模型,进而设计一种二阶段演化帝国竞争算法(TSE-ICA)对模型进行求解,输出最佳的充电调度方案及匹配的行车运营计划。采用4个分别包含5、10、20和36条线路的公交运行实例对RCO-CSS进行了性能评估与有效性验证。在实例探讨中,首先运用Taguich法对资源参数进行了敏感性分析,发现资源越宽裕,模型输出的日充电费用越小,但车辆与充放电设备平摊至每日的购置成本越大;其次,将TSE-ICA与其他4种先进的元启发式算法进行实验数值对比,验证了所提算法的寻优性能;最后,通过与无序充电调度策略和常规有序充电调度策略进行比较,证明了RCO-CSS能够更好地降低用电成本、设备购置成本和电池充放电次数。基于MSRC-MPSP和TSE-ICA的RCO-CSS为公交运营商制定充电调度方案和行车运营计划提供了一种可行且敏捷高效的新思路。

基于拍卖谈判机制的分布式多技能多项目调度

求解分布式多项目调度问题的关键是设计有效的资源协调机制以解决项目间的全局资源冲突。当全局资源为多技能人力资源时,调度项目活动开始时间的同时还需要满足“活动-技能-资源”的匹配关系,从而为多项目制定高质量的调度计划与全局资源指派方案。基于多Agent系统,建立局部调度优化与全局协调决策的双层模型;采用基于正向逆向调度改进的遗传算法求解初始局部调度计划;以人力资源各时段的使用权作为拍卖品,设计考虑人力资源多技能异质特点的拍卖谈判机制协调全局资源冲突。改编MPSPLIB算例集并开展实验研究,研究结果表明:本文设计的拍卖谈判机制与改进的遗传算法相结合可以有效协调不同规模问题的全局资源分配;拍卖谈判机制在测试问题集上的求解结果优于序贯博弈谈判机制;问题规模越大或资源冲突程度越强,项目协调调度难度越大,全局资源分配过程越复杂。