I am Professor and Chair of Operational Research in the School of Mathematics, University of Edinburgh, where I am Deputy Head of School and Head of the research theme Data and Decisions. In addition, I am Chair of the Mathematical Optimization Society and Vice-President (International Activities) of INFORMS. I am a Fellow of the Humboldt Foundation, EUROPT, and the Canadian Academy of Engineering. My Bio gives more details.
My research is concerned with using mathematical optimization to provide guaranteed optimal or near-optimal solutions for important classes of large-scale discrete nonlinear optimization problems arising in engineering applications. Conic optimization is a highly successful tool to obtain high-quality solutions to hard engineering optimization problems. My research in this area is primarily concerned with improving models and algorithms for the application of conic optimization to solving facility layout problems and computing optimal power flows in electricity grids.
In particular, mathematical optimization can help to improve the overall performance of the electric power system, which is of critical importance to our society. I am working to support the development of smart grids. A smart grid combines a traditional electrical power production, transmission, and distribution system with a two-way flow of information and energy between suppliers and consumers.
My research is concerned with using mathematical optimization to provide guaranteed optimal or near-optimal solutions for important classes of large-scale discrete nonlinear optimization problems arising in engineering applications. Conic optimization is a highly successful tool to obtain high-quality solutions to hard engineering optimization problems. My research in this area is primarily concerned with improving models and algorithms for the application of conic optimization to solving facility layout problems and computing optimal power flows in electricity grids.
In particular, mathematical optimization can help to improve the overall performance of the electric power system, which is of critical importance to our society. I am working to support the development of smart grids. A smart grid combines a traditional electrical power production, transmission, and distribution system with a two-way flow of information and energy between suppliers and consumers.
This combination is expected to deliver energy savings, cost reductions, and increased reliability and security. However, it also brings new operational challenges. These include:
- how to use the existing network more efficiently?
- how to incorporate renewable energy such as wind and solar?
- when to store energy until it is needed?
- how to include customers as active participants in the system operation?
- how to use the existing network more efficiently?
- how to incorporate renewable energy such as wind and solar?
- when to store energy until it is needed?
- how to include customers as active participants in the system operation?
I have extensive experience working with companies such as National Grid ESO, Hydro-Québec, Schneider Electric, Rio Tinto, and EDF. I am also a scientific advisor to Yeji Data Lab.
As a service to the community, I host three benchmark datasets: QAPLIB (still challenging), FLPLIB, and the Jones Benchmark.
As a service to the community, I host three benchmark datasets: QAPLIB (still challenging), FLPLIB, and the Jones Benchmark.
