2018, Adam, Lukás, Branda, Martin, Heitsch, Holger, Henrion, René

In this paper we investigate stochastic programms with joint chance constraints. We consider discrete scenario set and reformulate the problem by adding auxiliary variables. Since the resulting problem has a difficult feasible set, we regularize it. To decrease the dependence on the scenario number, we propose a numerical method by iteratively solving a master problem while adding Benders cuts. We find the solution of the slave problem (generating the Benders cuts) in a closed form and propose a heuristic method to decrease the number of cuts. We perform a numerical study by increasing the number of scenarios and compare our solution with a solution obtained by solving the same problem with continuous distribution.

2013, Landry, Chantal, Welz, Wolfgang, Henrion, René, Hömberg, Dietmar, Skutella, Martin

A workcell composed of a workpiece and several welding robots is considered. We are interested in minimizing the makespan in the workcell. Hence, one needs i) to assign tasks between the robots, ii) to do the sequencing of the tasks for each robot and iii) to compute the fastest collisionfree paths between the tasks. Up to now, task assignment and path-planning were always handled separately, the former being a typical Vehicle Routing Problem whereas the later is modelled using an optimal control problem. In this paper, we present a complete algorithm which combines discrete optimization techniques with collision detection and optimal control problems efficiently

2021, Berthold, Holger, Heitsch, Holger, Henrion, René, Schwientek, Jan

We present an adaptive grid refinement algorithm to solve probabilistic optimization problems with infinitely many random constraints. Using a bilevel approach, we iteratively aggregate inequalities that provide most information not in a geometric but in a probabilistic sense. This conceptual idea, for which a convergence proof is provided, is then adapted to an implementable algorithm. The efficiency of our approach when compared to naive methods based on uniform grid refinement is illustrated for a numerical test example as well as for a water reservoir problem with joint probabilistic filling level constraints.

2012, Henrion, René, Möller, Andris

We provide an explicit gradient formula for linear chance constraints under a (possibly singular) multivariate Gaussian distribution. This formula allows one to reduce the calculus of gradients to the calculus of values of the same type of chance constraints (in smaller dimension and with different distribution parameters). This is an important aspect for the numerical solution of stochastic optimization problems because existing efficient codes for e.g., calculating singular Gaussian distributions or regular Gaussian probabilities of polyhedra can be employed to calculate gradients at the same time. Moreover, the precision of gradients can be controlled by that of function values which is a great advantage over using finite difference approximations. Finally, higher order derivatives are easily derived explicitly. The use of the obtained formula is illustrated for an example of a transportation network with stochastic demands.

2020, Heitsch, Holger, Henrion, René

The spherical cap discrepancy is a widely used measure for how uniformly a sample of points on the sphere is distributed. Being hard to compute, this discrepancy measure is typically replaced by some lower or upper estimates when designing optimal sampling schemes for the uniform distribution on the sphere. In this paper, we provide a fully explicit, easy to implement enumerative formula for the spherical cap discrepancy. Not surprisingly, this formula is of combinatorial nature and, thus, its application is limited to spheres of small dimension and moderate sample sizes. Nonetheless, it may serve as a useful calibrating tool for testing the efficiency of sampling schemes and its explicit character might be useful also to establish necessary optimality conditions when minimizing the discrepancy with respect to a sample of given size.

2016, Farshbaf-Shaker, M. Hassan, Henrion, René, Hömberg, Dietmar

Chance constraints represent a popular tool for finding decisions that enforce a robust satisfaction of random inequality systems in terms of probability. They are widely used in optimization problems subject to uncertain parameters as they arise in many engineering applications. Most structural results of chance constraints (e.g., closedness, convexity, Lipschitz continuity, differentiability etc.) have been formulated in a finite-dimensional setting. The aim of this paper is to generalize some of these well-known semi-continuity and convexity properties to a setting of control problems subject to (uniform) state chance constraints.

2013, Arnold, Thomas, Henrion, René, Möller, Andris, Vigerske, Stefan

We illustrate the solution of a mixed-integer stochastic nonlinear optimization problem in an application of power management. In this application, a coupled system consisting of a hydro power station and a wind farm is considered. The objective is to satisfy the local energy demand and sell any surplus energy on a spot market for a short time horizon. Generation of wind energy is assumed to be random, so that demand satisfaction is modeled by a joint probabilistic constraint taking into account the multivariate distribution. The turbine is forced to either operate between given positive limits or to be shut down. This introduces additional binary decisions. The numerical solution procedure is presented and results are illustrated.

2018, Hantoute, Abderrahim, Henrion, René, Pérez-Aros, Pedro

Probability functions figure prominently in optimization problems of engineering. They may be nonsmooth even if all input data are smooth. This fact motivates the consideration of subdifferentials for such typically just continuous functions. The aim of this paper is to provide subdifferential formulae of such functions in the case of Gaussian distributions for possibly infinite-dimensional decision variables and nonsmooth (locally Lipschitzian) input data. These formulae are based on the spheric-radial decomposition of Gaussian random vectors on the one hand and on a cone of directions of moderate growth on the other. By successively adding additional hypotheses, conditions are satisfied under which the probability function is locally Lipschitzian or even differentiable.

2008, Henrion, René, Outrata, Jiří, Surowiec, Thomas

The paper deals with co-derivative formulae for normal cone mappings to smooth inequality systems. Both, the regular (Linear Independence Constraint Qualification satisfied) and nonregular (Mangasarian-Fromovitz Constraint Qualification satisfied) case are considered. A major part of the results relies on general transformation formulae previously obtained by Mordukhovich and Outrata. This allows to derive exact formulae for general smooth, regular and polyhedral, possibly nonregular systems. In the nonregular, nonpolyhedral case a generalized transformation formula by Mordukhovich and Outrata applies, however a major difficulty consists in checking a calmness condition of a certain multivalued mapping. The paper provides a translation of this condition in terms of much easier to verify constraint qualifications. A series of examples illustrates the use and comparison of the presented formulae.

2021, Branda, Martin, Henrion, René, Pištěk, Miroslav

We deal with several sources of uncertainty in electricity markets. The independent system operator (ISO) maximizes the social welfare using chance constraints to hedge against discrepancies between the estimated and real electricity demand. We find an explicit solution of the ISO problem, and use it to tackle the problem of a producer. In our model, production as well as income of a producer are determined based on the estimated electricity demand predicted by the ISO, that is unknown to producers. Thus, each producer is hedging against the uncertainty of prediction of the demand using the value-at-risk approach. To illustrate our results, a numerical study of a producer's best response given a historical distribution of both estimated and real electricity demand is provided.