Bundle methods are often the algorithms of choice for nonsmooth convex optimization, especially if accuracy in the solution and reliability are a concern. We review several algorithms based on the bundle methodology that have been developed recently and that, unlike their forerunner variants, have the ability to provide exact solutions even if most of the … Read more
We consider the information relaxation approach for calculating performance bounds for stochastic dynamic programs (DPs), following Brown, Smith, and Sun (2010). This approach generates performance bounds by solving problems with relaxed nonanticipativity constraints and a penalty that punishes violations of these nonanticipativity constraints. In this paper, we study DPs that have a convex structure and … Read more
This work addresses the issue of separating two finite sets in $\mathbb{R}^n $ by means of a suitable revolution cone $$ \Gamma (z,y,s)= \{x \in \mathbb{R}^n : s\,\Vert x-z\Vert – y^T(x-z)=0\}.$$ The specific challenge at hand is to determine the aperture coefficient $s$, the axis $y$, and the apex $z$ of the cone. These parameters … Read more
We address the issue of separating two finite sets in $\mathbb{R}^n $ by means of a suitable revolution cone $$ \Gamma (z,y,s)= \{x \in \mathbb{R}^n :\, s\,\Vert x-z\Vert – y^T(x-z)=0\}.$$ One has to select the aperture coefficient $s$, the axis $y$, and the apex $z$ in such a way as to meet certain optimal separation … Read more
Gauge functions significantly generalize the notion of a norm, and gauge optimization, as defined by Freund (1987), seeks the element of a convex set that is minimal with respect to a gauge function. This conceptually simple problem can be used to model a remarkable array of useful problems, including a special case of conic optimization, … Read more
Polynomial optimization encompasses a very rich class of problems in which both the objective and constraints can be written in terms of polynomials on the decision variables. There is a well stablished body of research on quadratic polynomial optimization problems based on reformulations of the original problem as a conic program over the cone of … Read more
In this paper, we generalize the well-known Nesterov’s accelerated gradient (AG) method, originally designed for convex smooth optimization, to solve nonconvex and possibly stochastic optimization problems. We demonstrate that by properly specifying the stepsize policy, the AG method exhibits the best known rate of convergence for solving general nonconvex smooth optimization problems by using first-order … Read more
We introduce and study conic geometric programs (CGPs), which are convex optimization problems that unify geometric programs (GPs) and conic optimization problems such as linear programs (LPs) and semidefinite programs (SDPs). A CGP consists of a linear objective function that is to be minimized subject to affine constraints, convex conic constraints, and upper bound constraints … Read more
This paper presents a set of new convex quadratic relaxations for nonlinear and mixed-integer nonlinear programs arising in power systems. The considered models are motivated by hybrid discrete/continuous applications where existing approximations do not provide optimality guarantees. The new relaxations offer computational efficiency along with minimal optimality gaps, providing an interesting alternative to state-of-the-art semi-definite … Read more
The alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM) is now widely used in many fields, and its convergence was proved when two blocks of variables are alternatively updated. It is strongly desirable and practically valuable to extend ADMM directly to the case of a multi-block convex minimization problem where its objective function is the sum of … Read more