Worst-case-expectation approach to optimization under uncertainty

In this paper we discuss multistage programming with the data process subject to uncertainty. We consider a situation were the data process can be naturally separated into two components, one can be modeled as a random process, with a specified probability distribution, and the other one can be treated from a robust (worst case) point … Read more

Minimal Representation of Insurance Prices

This paper addresses law invariant coherent risk measures and their Kusuoka representations. By elaborating the existence of a minimal representation we show that every Kusuoka representation can be reduced to its minimal representation. Uniqueness — in a sense specified in the paper — of the risk measure’s Kusuoka representation is derived from this initial result. … Read more

Simulation Optimization for the Stochastic Economic Lot Scheduling Problem with Sequence-Dependent Setup Times

We consider the stochastic economic lot scheduling problem (SELSP) with lost sales and random demand, where switching between products is subject to sequence-dependent setup times. We propose a solution based on simulation optimization using an iterative two-step procedure which combines global policy search with local search heuristics for the traveling salesman sequencing subproblem. To optimize … Read more

Minimum Concave Cost Flow Over a Grid Network

The minimum concave cost network flow problem (MCCNFP) is NP-hard, but efficient polynomial-time algorithms exist for some special cases such as the uncapacitated lot-sizing problem and many of its variants. We study the MCCNFP over a grid network with a general nonnegative separable concave cost function. We show that this problem is polynomially solvable when … Read more

The robust vehicle routing problem with time windows

This paper addresses the robust vehicle routing problem with time windows. We are motivated by a problem that arises in maritime transportation where delays are frequent and should be taken into account. Our model only allows routes that are feasible for all values of the travel times in a predetermined uncertainty polytope, which yields a … Read more

Pricing Conspicuous Consumption Products in Recession Periods with Uncertain Strength

We compare different approaches of optimization under uncertainty in the context of pricing strategies for conspicuous consumption products in recession periods of uncertain duration and strength. We consider robust worst-case ideas and how the concepts of Value at Risk (VaR) and Conditional Value at Risk (CVaR) can be incorporated efficiently. The approaches are generic in … Read more

A concentrated Cauchy distribution with finite moments

The Cauchy distribution has no moments (expected value, variance, etc.), because the defining integrals diverge. A way to “concentrate” the Cauchy distribution, in order to get finite moments, is suggested by an elementary problem in mechanics, giving the Cauchy distribution as a special case. The concentrated distribution has finite moments of all orders, while keeping … Read more

Pareto Efficiency in Robust Optimization

This paper formalizes and adapts the well known concept of Pareto efficiency in the context of the popular robust optimization (RO) methodology. We argue that the classical RO paradigm need not produce solutions that possess the associated property of Pareto optimality, and illustrate via examples how this could lead to inefficiencies and sub-optimal performance in … Read more

Equilibria on the Day-Ahead Electricity Market

In the energy sector, there has been a transition from monopolistic to oligopolistic situations (pool markets); each time more companies’ optimization revenues depend on the strategies of their competitors. The market rules vary from country to country. In this work, we model the Iberian Day-Ahead Duopoly Market and find exactly which are the outcomes (Nash … Read more