Exploiting structure of autoregressive processes in risk-averse multistage stochastic linear programs

We consider a multivariate interstage dependent stochastic process whose components follow a generalized autoregressive model with time varying order. At a given time step, we give some recursive formulae linking future values of the process with past values and noises. We then consider multistage stochastic linear programs with uncertain polyhedral sets depending affinely on such … Read more

Stochastic approaches for solving Rapid Transit Network Design models with random demand

We address rapid transit network design problems characterized by uncertainty in the input data. Network design has a determinant impact on the future e ective- ness of the system. Design decisions are made with a great degree of uncertainty about the conditions under which the system will be required to operate. The de- mand is one … Read more

A copula-based heuristic for scenario generation

This paper presents a new heuristic for generating scenarios for two-stage stochastic programs. The method uses copulas to describe the dependence between the marginal distributions, instead of the more common correlations. The heuristic is then tested on a simple portfolio-selection model, and compared to two other scenario-generation methods. CitationPublished in Computational Management Science, 11 (4), … Read more

On Kusuoka representation of law invariant risk measures

In this paper we discuss representations of law invariant coherent risk measures in a form of integrals of the Average Value-at-Risk measures. We show that such integral representation exists iff the dual set of the considered risk measure is generated by one of its elements, and this representation is uniquely defined. On the other hand, … Read more

Adjoint Sensitivity Analysis for Numerical Weather Prediction: Applications to Power Grid Optimization

We present an approach to estimate adjoint sensitivities of economic metrics of relevance in the power grid with respect to physical weather variables using numerical weather prediction models. We demonstrate that this capability can significantly enhance planning and operations. We illustrate the method using a large-scale computational study where we compute sensitivities of the regional … Read more

Sell or Hold: a simple two-stage stochastic combinatorial optimization problem

There are $n$ individual assets and $k$ of them are to be sold over two stages. The first-stage prices are known and the second-stage prices have a known distribution. The sell or hold problem (SHP) is to determine which assets are to be sold at each stage to maximize the total expected revenue. We show … Read more

Decision Making under Uncertainty when Preference Information is Incomplete

We consider the problem of optimal decision making under uncertainty but assume that the decision maker’s utility function is not completely known. Instead, we consider all the utilities that meet some criteria, such as preferring certain lotteries over certain other lotteries and being risk averse, s-shaped, or prudent. This extends the notion of stochastic dominance. … Read more

A Polynomial-Time Solution Scheme for Quadratic Stochastic Programs

We consider quadratic stochastic programs with random recourse – a class of problems which is perceived to be computationally demanding. Instead of using mainstream scenario tree-based techniques, we reduce computational complexity by restricting the space of recourse decisions to those linear and quadratic in the observations, thereby obtaining an upper bound on the original problem. … Read more

Probabilistic Set Covering with Correlations

We consider a probabilistic set covering problem where there is uncertainty regarding whether a selected set can cover an item, and the objective is to determine a minimum-cost combination of sets so that each item is covered with a pre-specified probability. To date, literature on this problem has focused on the special case in which … Read more

The optimal harvesting problem with price uncertainty

In this paper we study the exploitation of a one species forest plantation when timber price is governed by a stochastic process. The work focuses on providing closed expressions for the optimal harvesting policy in terms of the parameters of the price process and the discount factor. We assume that harvest is restricted to mature … Read more