Epi-convergent discretizations of multistage stochastic programs

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Pennanen, T
• 署名单位: Aalto University
• 刊物名称: MATHEMATICS OF OPERATIONS RESEARCH
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0364-765X
• DOI: 10.1287/moor.1040.0114
• 发表日期: 2005
• 页码: 245-256
• 关键词: stability; Recourse

摘要

In many dynamic stochastic optimization problems in practice, the uncertain factors are best modeled as random variables with an infinite support. This results in infinite-dimensional optimization problems that can rarely be solved directly. Therefore, the random variables (stochastic processes) are often approximated by finitely supported ones (scenario trees), which result in finite-dimensional optimization problems that are more likely to be solvable by available optimization tools. This paper presents conditions under which such finite-dimensional optimization problems can be shown to epi-converge to the original infinite-dimensional problem. Epi-convergence implies the convergence of optimal values and solutions as the discretizations are made finer. Our convergence result applies to a general class of convex problems where neither linearity nor complete recourse are assumed.