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Second-order scenario approximation and refinement in optimization under uncertainty

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Abstract

When solving scenario-based stochastic programming problems, it is imperative that the employed solution methodology be based on some form of problem decomposition: mathematical, stochastic, or scenario decomposition. In particular, the scenario decomposition resulting from scenario approximations has perhaps the least tendency to be computationally tedious due to increases in the number of scenarios. Scenario approximations discussed in this paper utilize the second-moment information of the given scenarios to iteratively construct a (relatively) small number of representative scenarios that are used to derive bounding approximations on the stochastic program. While the sizes of these approximations grow only linearly in the number of random parameters, their refinement is performed by exploiting the behavior of the value function in the most effective manner. The implementation SMART discussed here demonstrates the aptness of the scheme for solving two-stage stochastic programs described with a large number of scenarios.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Management Science Program, University of Tennessee, 37996, Knoxville, TN, USA

    N. C. P. Edirisinghe & G-M. You

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  1. N. C. P. Edirisinghe
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  2. G-M. You
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Edirisinghe, N.C.P., You, GM. Second-order scenario approximation and refinement in optimization under uncertainty. Ann Oper Res 64, 143–178 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02187644

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