Scenario Reduction in Stochastic Programming: An Approach Using Probability Metrics

Jitka Dupacov, Nicole Gröwe-Kuska, Werner Römisch

Preprint series: Institut für Mathematik, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (ISSN 0863-0976), 09, 20

MSC 2000

90C15 Stochastic programming
90C31 Sensitivity, stability, parametric optimization
Abstract

Given a convex stochastic programming problem with a discrete initial probability distribution, the problem of optimal scenario reduction is stated as follows: Determine a scenario subset of prescribed cardinality and a probability measure based on this set that is closest to the initial distribution in terms of a natural (or canonical) probability metric. Arguments from stability analysis indicate that Fortet-Mourier type probability metrics may serve as such canonical metrics. Efficient algorithms are developed that determine optimal reduced measures approximately. Numerical experience is reported for reductions of electrical load scenario trees for power management under uncertainty. For instance, it turns out that after a 50% reduction of the scenario tree the optimal reduced tree still has about 90% of relative accuracy.

Keywords: Stochastic programming, quantitative stability, Fortet-Mourier metrics, scenario reduction, transportation problem, electrical load scenario tree