Column generation for multistage stochastic mixed-integer nonlinear programs with discrete state variables

Stochastic programming provides a natural framework for modeling sequential optimization problems under uncertainty; however, the efficient solution of large-scale multistage stochastic programs remains a challenge, especially in the presence of discrete decisions and nonlinearities. In this work, we consider multistage stochastic mixed-integer nonlinear programs (MINLPs) with discrete state variables, which exhibit a decomposable structure that allows its solution using a column generation approach. Following a Dantzig–Wolfe reformulation, we apply column generation such that each pricing subproblem is an MINLP of much smaller size, making it more amenable to global MINLP solvers. We further propose a method for generating additional columns that satisfy the nonanticipativity constraints, leading to significantly improved convergence and optimal or near-optimal solutions for many large-scale instances in a reasonable computation time. The effectiveness of the tailored column generation algorithm is demonstrated via computational case studies on a multistage blending problem and a problem involving the routing of mobile generators in a power distribution network.