arXiv subjects

Ashish Cherukuri

Publications and source records attributed to Ashish Cherukuri.

29 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2019

Sample average approximation of CVaR-based Wardrop equilibrium in routing under uncertain costs

This paper focuses on the class of routing games that have uncertain costs. Assuming that agents are risk-averse and select paths with minimum conditional value-at-risk (CVaR) associated to them, we define the notion of CVaR-based Wardrop equilibrium (CWE). We focus on computing this equilibrium under the condition that the distribution of the uncertainty is unknown and a set of independent and identically distributed samples is available. To this end, we define the sample average approximation scheme where CWE is estimated with solutions of a variational inequality problem involving sample average approximations of the CVaR. We establish two properties for this scheme. First, under continuity of costs and boundedness of uncertainty, we prove asymptotic consistency, establishing almost sure convergence of approximate equilibria to CWE as the sample size grows. Second, under the additional assumption of Lipschitz cost, we prove exponential convergence where the probability of the distance between an approximate solution and the CWE being smaller than any constant approaches unity exponentially fast. Simulation example validates our theoretical findings.

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arXiv2018

Cooperative data-driven distributionally robust optimization

This paper studies a class of multiagent stochastic optimization problems where the objective is to minimize the expected value of a function which depends on a random variable. The probability distribution of the random variable is unknown to the agents, so each one gathers samples of it. The agents aim to cooperatively find, using their data, a solution to the optimization problem with guaranteed out-of-sample performance. The approach is to formulate a data-driven distributionally robust optimization problem using Wasserstein ambiguity sets, which turns out to be equivalent to a convex program. We reformulate the latter as a distributed optimization problem and identify a convex-concave augmented Lagrangian function whose saddle points are in correspondence with the optimizers provided a min-max interchangeability criteria is met. Our distributed algorithm design then consists of the saddle-point dynamics associated to the augmented Lagrangian. We formally establish that the trajectories of the dynamics converge asymptotically to a saddle point and hence an optimizer of the problem. Finally, we provide a class of functions that meet the min-max interchangeability criteria. Simulations illustrate our results.

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arXiv2018

Data-Driven Chance Constrained Optimization under Wasserstein Ambiguity Sets

We present a data-driven approach for distributionally robust chance constrained optimization problems (DRCCPs). We consider the case where the decision maker has access to a finite number of samples or realizations of the uncertainty. The chance constraint is then required to hold for all distributions that are close to the empirical distribution constructed from the samples (where the distance between two distributions is defined via the Wasserstein metric). We first reformulate DRCCPs under data-driven Wasserstein ambiguity sets and a general class of constraint functions. When the feasibility set of the chance constraint program is replaced by its convex inner approximation, we present a convex reformulation of the program and show its tractability when the constraint function is affine in both the decision variable and the uncertainty. For constraint functions concave in the uncertainty, we show that a cutting-surface algorithm converges to an approximate solution of the convex inner approximation of DRCCPs. Finally, for constraint functions convex in the uncertainty, we compare the feasibility set with other sample-based approaches for chance constrained programs.

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arXiv2018

Hybrid interconnection of iterative bidding and power network dynamics for frequency regulation and optimal dispatch

This paper considers a real-time electricity market involving an independent system operator (ISO) and a group of strategic generators. The ISO operates a market where generators bid prices at which there are willing to provide power. The ISO makes power generation assignments with the goal of solving the economic dispatch problem and regulating the network frequency. We propose a multi-rate hybrid algorithm for bidding and market clearing that combines the discrete nature of iterative bidding with the continuous nature of the frequency evolution in the power network. We establish sufficient upper bounds on the inter-event times that guarantee that the proposed algorithm asymptotically converges to an equilibrium corresponding to an efficient Nash equilibrium and zero frequency deviation. Our technical analysis builds on the characterization of the robustness properties of the continuous-time version of the bidding update process interconnected with the power network dynamics via the identification of a novel LISS-Lyapunov function. Simulations on the IEEE 14-bus system illustrate our results.

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arXiv2017

Frequency-driven market mechanisms for optimal dispatch in power networks

This paper studies real-time bidding mechanisms for economic dispatch and frequency regulation in electrical power networks. We consider a market administered by an independent system operator (ISO) where a group of strategic generators participate in a Bertrand game of competition. Generators bid prices at which they are willing to produce electricity. Each generator aims to maximize their profit, while the ISO seeks to minimize the total generation cost and to regulate the frequency of the system. We consider a continuous-time bidding process coupled with the swing dynamics of the network through the use of frequency as a feedback signal for the negotiation process. We analyze the stability of the resulting interconnected system, establishing frequency regulation and the convergence to a Nash equilibrium and optimal generation levels. The results are verified in the IEEE 14-bus benchmark case.

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arXiv2017

The role of convexity on saddle-point dynamics: Lyapunov function and robustness

This paper studies the projected saddle-point dynamics associated to a convex-concave function, which we term saddle function. The dynamics consists of gradient descent of the saddle function in variables corresponding to convexity and (projected) gradient ascent in variables corresponding to concavity. We examine the role that the local and/or global nature of the convexity-concavity properties of the saddle function plays in guaranteeing convergence and robustness of the dynamics. Under the assumption that the saddle function is twice continuously differentiable, we provide a novel characterization of the omega-limit set of the trajectories of this dynamics in terms of the diagonal blocks of the Hessian. Using this characterization, we establish global asymptotic convergence of the dynamics under local strong convexity-concavity of the saddle function. When strong convexity-concavity holds globally, we establish three results. First, we identify a Lyapunov function (that decreases strictly along the trajectory) for the projected saddle-point dynamics when the saddle function corresponds to the Lagrangian of a general constrained convex optimization problem. Second, for the particular case when the saddle function is the Lagrangian of an equality-constrained optimization problem, we show input-to-state stability of the saddle-point dynamics by providing an ISS Lyapunov function. Third, we use the latter result to design an opportunistic state-triggered implementation of the dynamics. Various examples illustrate our results.

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arXiv2017

Iterative bidding in electricity markets: rationality and robustness

This paper studies an electricity market consisting of an independent system operator (ISO) and a group of generators. The goal is to solve the DC optimal power flow (DC-OPF) problem: have the generators collectively meet the power demand while minimizing the aggregate generation cost and respecting line flow limits in the network. The ISO by itself cannot solve the DC-OPF problem as generators are strategic and do not share their cost functions. Instead, each generator submits to the ISO a bid, consisting of the price per unit of electricity at which it is willing to provide power. Based on the bids, the ISO decides how much production to allocate to each generator to minimize the total payment while meeting the load and satisfying the line limits. We provide a provably correct, decentralized iterative scheme, termed BID ADJUSTMENT ALGORITHM, for the resulting Bertrand competition game. Regarding convergence, we show that the algorithm takes the generators' bids to any desired neighborhood of the efficient Nash equilibrium at a linear convergence rate. As a consequence, the optimal production of the generators converges to the optimizer of the DC-OPF problem. Regarding robustness, we show that the algorithm is robust to affine perturbations in the bid adjustment scheme and that there is no incentive for any individual generator to deviate from the algorithm by using an alternative bid update scheme. We also establish the algorithm robustness to collusion, i.e., we show that, as long as each bus with generation has a generator following the strategy, there is no incentive for any group of generators to share information with the intent of tricking the system to obtain a higher payoff. Simulations illustrate our results.

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arXiv2016

Saddle-point dynamics: conditions for asymptotic stability of saddle points

This paper considers continuously differentiable functions of two vector variables that have (possibly a continuum of) min-max saddle points. We study the asymptotic convergence properties of the associated saddle-point dynamics (gradient-descent in the first variable and gradient-ascent in the second one). We identify a suite of complementary conditions under which the set of saddle points is asymptotically stable under the saddle-point dynamics. Our first set of results is based on the convexity-concavity of the function defining the saddle-point dynamics to establish the convergence guarantees. For functions that do not enjoy this feature, our second set of results relies on properties of the linearization of the dynamics, the function along the proximal normals to the saddle set, and the linearity of the function in one variable. We also provide global versions of the asymptotic convergence results. Various examples illustrate our discussion.

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arXiv2016

Distributed coordination of DERs with storage for dynamic economic dispatch

This paper considers the dynamic economic dispatch problem for a group of distributed energy resources (DERs) with storage that communicate over a weight-balanced strongly connected digraph. The objective is to collectively meet a certain load profile over a finite time horizon while minimizing the aggregate cost. At each time slot, each DER decides on the amount of generated power, the amount sent to/drawn from the storage unit, and the amount injected into the grid to satisfy the load. Additional constraints include bounds on the amount of generated power, ramp constraints on the difference in generation across successive time slots, and bounds on the amount of power in storage. We synthesize a provably-correct distributed algorithm that solves the resulting finite-horizon optimization problem starting from any initial condition. Our design consists of two interconnected systems, one estimating the mismatch between the injection and the total load at each time slot, and another using this estimate to reduce the mismatch and optimize the total cost of generation while meeting the constraints.

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arXiv2015

Asymptotic convergence of constrained primal-dual dynamics

This paper studies the asymptotic convergence properties of the primal-dual dynamics designed for solving constrained concave optimization problems using classical notions from stability analysis. We motivate the need for this study by providing an example that rules out the possibility of employing the invariance principle for hybrid automata to study asymptotic convergence. We understand the solutions of the primal-dual dynamics in the Caratheodory sense and characterize their existence, uniqueness, and continuity with respect to the initial condition. We use the invariance principle for discontinuous Caratheodory systems to establish that the primal-dual optimizers are globally asymptotically stable under the primal-dual dynamics and that each solution of the dynamics converges to an optimizer.

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arXiv2014

Initialization-free distributed coordination for economic dispatch under varying loads and generator commitment

This paper considers the economic dispatch problem for a network of power generating units communicating over a strongly connected, weight-balanced digraph. The collective aim is to meet a power demand while respecting individual generator constraints and minimizing the total generation cost. We design a distributed coordination algorithm consisting of two interconnected dynamical systems. One block uses dynamic average consensus to estimate the evolving mismatch in load satisfaction given the generation levels of the units. The other block adjusts the generation levels based on the optimization objective and the estimate of the load mismatch. Our convergence analysis shows that the resulting strategy provably converges to the solution of the dispatch problem starting from any initial power allocation, and therefore does not require any specific procedure for initialization. We also characterize the algorithm robustness properties against the addition and deletion of units (capturing scenarios with intermittent power generation) and its ability to track time-varying loads. Our technical approach employs a novel refinement of the LaSalle Invariance Principle for differential inclusions, that we also establish and is of independent interest. Several simulations illustrate our results.

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