We will present an overview of global optimisation methods that differ from evolutionary approaches, and that can be also very efficient in broad ranges of applications. Improvements over the
well-known simulated annealing algorithm will be discussed. Several finite-temperature simulation methods will be detailed in the light of the optimisation problem. Parallel tempering and flat-histogram methods, in particular, provide general and powerful schemes for sampling energy landscapes. Other approaches based on deformation of the energy surface will be presented, including the stochastic tunneling and basin-hopping approaches. Similarities and differences with genetic algorithms will be emphasized. Illustrations will be made for nanoscale and glassforming systems.

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