On the Value Function of a Mixed Integer Linear Optimization Problem and an Algorithm for its Construction

This paper addresses the value function of a general mixed integer linear optimization problem (MILP). The value function describes the change in optimal objective value as the right-hand side is varied and understanding its structure is central to solving a variety of important classes of optimization problems. We propose a discrete representation of the MILP … Read more

Solving Bilevel Mixed Integer Program by Reformulations and Decomposition

In this paper, we study bilevel mixed integer programming (MIP) problem and present a novel computing scheme based on reformulations and decomposition strategy. By converting bilevel MIP into a constrained mathematical program, we present its single-level reformulations that are friendly to perform analysis and build insights. Then, we develop a decomposition algorithm based on column-and-constraint … Read more

Analysis of mixed integer programming formulations for single machine scheduling problems with sequence dependent setup times and release dates

In this article, six different mixed integer programming (MIP) formulations are proposed and analyzed. These formulations are based on the knowledge of four different paradigms for single machine scheduling problems (SMSP) with sequence dependent setup times and release dates. Each formulation reflects a specific concept on how the variables and parameters are defined, requiring particular … Read more

Tight MIP Formulations of the Power-Based Unit Commitment Problem

This paper provides the convex hull description for the basic operation of slow- and quick-start units in power-based unit commitment (UC) problems. The basic operating constraints that are modeled for both types of units are: 1) generation limits and 2) minimum up and down times. Apart from this, the startup and shutdown processes are also … Read more

A Tight MIP Formulation of the Unit Commitment Problem with Start-up and Shut-down Constraints

This paper provides the convex hull description for the following basic operating constraints of a single power generation unit in Unit Commitment (UC) problems: 1) generation limits, 2) startup and shutdown capabilities, and 3) minimum up and down times. Although the model does not consider some crucial constraints, such as ramping, the proposed constraints can … Read more

Power-Capacity and Ramp-Capability Reserves for Wind Integration in Power-Based UC

This paper proposes a power-based network-constrained unit commitment (UC) model as an alternative to the traditional deterministic UCs to deal with wind generation uncertainty. The formulation draws a clear distinction between power-capacity and ramp-capability reserves to deal with wind production uncertainty. These power and ramp requirements can be obtained from wind forecast information. The model … Read more

On Global Optimization

This paper presents a relatively “unfettered” method for finding global optima to constrained nonlinear programs. The method reformulates the given program into a bi-objective mixed-integer program that is then solved for the Nash equilibrium. A numerical example (whose solution provides a new benchmark against which other algorithms may be assessed) is included to illustrate the … Read more

n-step cycle inequalities: facets for continuous n-mixing set and strong cuts for multi-module capacitated lot-sizing problem

In this paper, we introduce a generalization of the continuous mixing set (which we refer to as the continuous n-mixing set). This set is closely related to the feasible set of the multi-module capacitated lot-sizing (MML) problem with(out) backlogging. We develop new classes of valid inequalities for this set, referred to as n’-step cycle inequalities, … Read more

How important are branching decisions: fooling MIP solvers

We show the importance of selecting good branching variables by exhibiting a family of instances for which an optimal solution is both trivial to find and provably optimal by a fixed-size branch-and-bound tree, but for which state-of-the-art Mixed Integer Programming solvers need an increasing amount of resources. The instances encode the edge-coloring problem on a … Read more

Unit commitment with valve-point loading effect

Valve-point loading affects the input-output characteristics of generating units, bringing the fuel costs nonlinear and nonsmooth. This has been considered in the solution of load dispatch problems, but not in the planning phase of unit commitment. This paper presents a mathematical optimization model for the thermal unit commitment problem considering valve-point loading. The formulation is … Read more