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arXiv · 2604.26882

Approximating the Network Design Problem for Potential-Based Flows

Max Klimm·Marc E. Pfetsch·Martin Skutella·Lea Strubberg
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Abstract

We develop efficient algorithms for a fundamental network design problem arising in potential-based flow models, which are central to many energy transport networks (e.g., hydrogen and electricity). In contrast to classical network flow problems, the nonlinearities inherent in potential-based networks introduce significant new challenges. We address these challenges through intricate reductions to classical combinatorial optimization problems, such as (constrained) shortest path problems, enabling the application of well-established algorithmic techniques to compute exact and approximate solutions efficiently. Finally, we complement these algorithmic results with matching complexity results concerning the hardness and non-approximability of the considered problem variants.

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Max Klimm, Marc E. Pfetsch, Martin Skutella, Lea Strubberg. 2026-04-29. Approximating the Network Design Problem for Potential-Based Flows. https://arxiv.org/abs/2604.26882

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