LAPSE:2025.0220
Published Article

LAPSE:2025.0220
New Directions and Software Tools Within the Process Systems Engineering Ecosystem
June 27, 2025
Abstract
Process Systems Engineering (PSE) provides the advanced conceptual framework and software tools to formulate and optimise well-considered integrated solutions that could accelerate the sustainability transition within the industrial sector. The landscape of advanced PSE is poised to undertake a considerable transformation with the rise in popularity of open-source and script-based software platforms with predictive modelling capabilities based on modern mathematical optimization techniques. This paper highlights three leading equation-based platformsIDAES, Modelica, and GEKKO-that are increasingly utilised for the modelling, simulation, and optimisation of complex systems within the advanced PSE domain, alongside the strengths and limitations of each approach. Following this, we present a framework through which emerging techniques within the domain of Software Engineering could be leveraged to address these limitations, with a vision of improving the accessibility and flexibility of complex modelling tools for industrial partners.
Process Systems Engineering (PSE) provides the advanced conceptual framework and software tools to formulate and optimise well-considered integrated solutions that could accelerate the sustainability transition within the industrial sector. The landscape of advanced PSE is poised to undertake a considerable transformation with the rise in popularity of open-source and script-based software platforms with predictive modelling capabilities based on modern mathematical optimization techniques. This paper highlights three leading equation-based platformsIDAES, Modelica, and GEKKO-that are increasingly utilised for the modelling, simulation, and optimisation of complex systems within the advanced PSE domain, alongside the strengths and limitations of each approach. Following this, we present a framework through which emerging techniques within the domain of Software Engineering could be leveraged to address these limitations, with a vision of improving the accessibility and flexibility of complex modelling tools for industrial partners.
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Burroughs S, Lincoln B, Adeel A, Severinsen I, Lee A, Amusat O, Gunter D, Nicholson B, Apperley M, Young B, Siirola J, Walmsle TG. New Directions and Software Tools Within the Process Systems Engineering Ecosystem. Systems and Control Transactions 4:430-436 (2025) https://doi.org/10.69997/sct.156838
Author Affiliations
Burroughs S: Ahuora Centre for Smart Energy Systems, Department of Software Engineering, University of Waikato, Hamilton 3240, New Zealand
Lincoln B: Ahuora Centre for Smart Energy Systems, School of Engineering, University of Waikato, Hamilton 3240, New Zealand
Adeel A: Ahuora Centre for Smart Energy Systems, Department of Software Engineering, University of Waikato, Hamilton 3240, New Zealand
Severinsen I: Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Auckland, 5 Grafton Road, Auckland, 1010, New Zealand
Lee A: National Energy Technology Laboratory, Pittsburgh, PA 15236, United States of America; NETL Support Contractor, Pittsburgh, PA 15236, USA
Amusat O: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, United States of America
Gunter D: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, United States of America
Nicholson B: Center for Computing Research, Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM, 87185, United States of America
Apperley M: Ahuora Centre for Smart Energy Systems, Department of Software Engineering, University of Waikato, Hamilton 3240, New Zealand
Young B: Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Auckland, 5 Grafton Road, Auckland, 1010, New Zealand
Siirola J: Center for Computing Research, Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM, 87185, United States of America
Walmsle TG: Ahuora Centre for Smart Energy Systems, School of Engineering, University of Waikato, Hamilton 3240, New Zealand
Lincoln B: Ahuora Centre for Smart Energy Systems, School of Engineering, University of Waikato, Hamilton 3240, New Zealand
Adeel A: Ahuora Centre for Smart Energy Systems, Department of Software Engineering, University of Waikato, Hamilton 3240, New Zealand
Severinsen I: Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Auckland, 5 Grafton Road, Auckland, 1010, New Zealand
Lee A: National Energy Technology Laboratory, Pittsburgh, PA 15236, United States of America; NETL Support Contractor, Pittsburgh, PA 15236, USA
Amusat O: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, United States of America
Gunter D: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, United States of America
Nicholson B: Center for Computing Research, Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM, 87185, United States of America
Apperley M: Ahuora Centre for Smart Energy Systems, Department of Software Engineering, University of Waikato, Hamilton 3240, New Zealand
Young B: Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Auckland, 5 Grafton Road, Auckland, 1010, New Zealand
Siirola J: Center for Computing Research, Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM, 87185, United States of America
Walmsle TG: Ahuora Centre for Smart Energy Systems, School of Engineering, University of Waikato, Hamilton 3240, New Zealand
Journal Name
Systems and Control Transactions
Volume
4
First Page
430
Last Page
436
Year
2025
Publication Date
2025-07-01
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Original Submission
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PII: 0430-0436-1791-SCT-4-2025, Publication Type: Journal Article
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LAPSE:2025.0220
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https://doi.org/10.69997/sct.156838
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Jun 27, 2025
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References Cited
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