Stochastic versus Robust Optimization for a Transportation Problem

In this paper we consider a transportation problem under uncertainty related to gypsum replenishment for a cement producer. The problem is to determine the number of vehicles to book at the beginning of each week to replenish gypsum at all the cement factories of the producer in order to minimize the total cost, given by … Read more

Transmission and Generation Investment in Electricity Markets: The Effects of Market Splitting and Network Fee Regimes

We propose an equilibrium model that allows to analyze the long-run impact of the regulatory environment on transmission line expansion by the regulator and investment in generation capacity by private firms in liberalized electricity markets. The model incorporates investment decisions of the transmission operator and private firms in expectation of an energy-only market and cost-based … Read more

Asymptotic optimality of Tailored Base-Surge policies in dual-sourcing inventory systems

Dual-sourcing inventory systems, in which one supplier is faster (i.e. express) and more costly, while the other is slower (i.e. regular) and cheaper, arise naturally in many real-world supply chains. These systems are notoriously difficult to optimize due to the complex structure of the optimal solution and the curse of dimensionality, having resisted solution for … Read more

Optimization Problems in Natural Gas Transportation Systems: A State-of-the-Art Review

This paper provides a review on the most relevant research works conducted to solve natural gas transportation problems via pipeline systems. The literature reveals three major groups of gas pipeline systems, namely gathering, transmission, and distribution systems. In this work, we aim at presenting a detailed discussion of the efforts made in optimizing natural gas … Read more

Perfect dimensional ratios and optimality of some empirical numerical standards

Experience and observations often underlie some widely used numerical characteristics. The problem is in the extent to which such characteristics are optimal. The paper presents results of theoretical analysis of the most frequently used numerical characteristics regarding the number of classes in classification systems, of the base of the number system, and of the level … Read more

An Overview on Mathematical Programming Approaches for the Deterministic Unit Commitment Problem in Hydro Valleys

With the fast-growing demand in the electricity market of the last decades, attention has been focused on alternative and flexible sources of energy such as hydro valleys. Managing the hydroelectricity produced by the plants in hydro valleys is called the hydro unit commitment problem. This problem consists in finding the optimal power production schedule of … Read more

Multi-period portfolio optimization with alpha decay

The traditional Markowitz MVO approach is based on a single-period model. Single period models do not utilize any data or decisions beyond the rebalancing time horizon with the result that their policies are {\em myopic} in nature. For long-term investors, multi-period optimization offers the opportunity to make {\em wait-and-see} policy decisions by including approximate forecasts … Read more

A mixed integer programming approach to reduce fuel load accumulation for prescribed burn planning

The increasing frequency of destructive wild land fires, with a consequent loss of life and property, has led to fire and land management agencies initiating extensive fuel management programs. This involves long-term scheduling of the location of fuel reduction activities such as prescribed burning or mechanical clearing. In this paper a Mixed Integer Programming (MIP) … Read more

Alternating direction methods for non convex optimization with applications to second-order least-squares and risk parity portfolio selection

In this paper we mainly focus on optimization of sums of squares of quadratic functions, which we refer to as second-order least-squares problems, subject to convex constraints. Our motivation arises from applications in risk parity portfolio selection. We generalize the setting further by considering a class of nonlinear, non convex functions which admit a (non … Read more

The carbon leakage effect on the cement sector under different climate policies

The European emissions trading scheme (EU-ETS) is a cap and trade system that requires the indus- tries participating in the program to obtain allowances to cover their carbon emissions. Energy Intensive Industries claim that this system puts their European plants at an economics disadvantage compared to fa- cilities located outside the EU. As a direct … Read more