Guaranteed bounds for optimal stopping problems using kernel-based non-asymptotic uniform confidence bands

In this paper, we introduce an approach for obtaining probabilistically guaranteed upper and lower bounds on the true optimal value of stopping problems. Bounds of existing simulation-and-regression approaches, such as those based on least squares Monte Carlo and information relaxation, are stochastic in nature and therefore do not come with a finite sample guarantee. Our … Read more

Distributionally robust optimization with multiple time scales: valuation of a thermal power plant

The valuation of a real option is preferably done with the inclusion of uncertainties in the model, since the value depends on future costs and revenues, which are not perfectly known today. The usual value of the option is defined as the maximal expected (discounted) profit one may achieve under optimal management of the operation. … Read more

Multiscale stochastic programming

Real-world multistage stochastic optimization problems are often characterized by the fact that the decision maker may take actions only at specific points in time, even if relevant data can be observed much more frequently. In such a case there are not only multiple decision stages present but also several observation periods between consecutive decisions where … Read more