Balancing for nonlinear systems

We present a method of balancing for nonlinear systems which is an extension of balancing for linear systems in the sense that it is based on the input and output energy of a system. It is a local result, but gives 'broader' results than we obtain by just linearizing the system. Furthermore, the relation with balancing of the linearization is dealt with. We propose to use the method as a tool for nonlinear model reduction and investigate some of the properties of the reduced system