OPTIMIZATION & APPLICATIONS

Research Group

 

University of Oviedo Department of Mathematics

 

  

Welcome to the Optimization & Applications Research Group website.

Our research group started in 1996 with the unofficial name of "Research Group on Hydrothermal Optimization" under the direction of Prof. Pedro M. Suárez. It received the official accreditation as Research Group in 2013 under the name "Optimization and Applications" (OPyAP, in Spanish), when it was composed of 4 researchers: Pedro M. Suárez, Luis Bayón, José M. Grau and María M. Ruiz. In 2016, three new researchers joined, and at the same time, Prof. José M. Grau got in charge. At present, the 7-member group is undergoing the quinquennial preemptive re-evaluation.

Our research activities focus primarily on the field of Optimization, more specifically on Dynamic Optimization and Quadratic Programming. We also apply these techniques to several real practical problems, mainly in Hydrothermal Systems, but also in Economics and Chemistry, among other fields. Due to the hybrid nature of the research that we carry out, we publish our work not only in Applied Mathematics forums, but also in Engineering forums.


We approach these problems from a mathematical perspective, using diverse tools such as:

- Functional Analysis

- Direct Methods (Ritz Method)

- Calculus of Variations

- Optimal Control (Pontryagin’s Principle, Bolza Problem, Singular/Bang-Bang Control, Steady states, Skiba points, etc.)

- Nonsmooth Analysis (Clarke’s generalized gradient, etc.)

Moreover, we have made significant contributions in the area of Pure Mathematics, like for example in:

- Problems Involving Inequality Constraints

- Differential Inclusions

- Broken Extremals

- Fields of Extremals

- Shooting Method

- Cyclic Coordinate Descent Algorithm

- Infimal Convolution

- Combinatorial Optimization

These mathematical problems arise from typical Engineering problems, such as Optimization of Hydrothermal Systems, and also from Economics problems. Among others, these include:

- Equivalent Thermal Plant

- Economic Dispatch

- Multi-Fuel power plants

- Combined Cycle units

- Minimization of Pollution Emissions (NOx, SO2, ...)

- Environmentally Constrained Economic Dispatch

- Unit Commitment

- Short-Term Hydrothermal Coordination

- Pumped-storage plants

- Hydro-eolic power plans

- Deregulated Electricity Market

- Forecasting Electricity Prices and wind generation

- Renewable and Non-Renewable Resources

- Enzymatic chemical pathways

- Mathematical Biosciences

Latest update: 14/09/2020

 

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