Thu, 02 Feb 2023

16:00 - 17:00
L6

Energy transition under scenario uncertainty: a mean-field game approach

Roxana Dumitrescu
Abstract

We study the impact of transition scenario uncertainty, and in particular, the uncertainty about future carbon price and electricity demand, on the pace of decarbonization of the electricity industry. To this end, we build a discrete time mean-field game model for the long-term dynamics of the electricity market subject to common random shocks affecting the carbon price and the electricity demand. These shocks depend on a macroeconomic scenario, which is not observed by the agents, but can be partially deduced from the frequency of the shocks. Due to this partial observation feature, the common noise is non-Markovian. We consider two classes of agents: conventional producers and renewable producers. The former choose an optimal moment to exit the market and the latter choose an optimal moment to enter the market by investing into renewable generation. The agents interact through the market price determined by a merit order mechanism with an exogenous stochastic demand. We prove the existence of Nash equilibria in the resulting mean-field game of optimal stopping with common noise, developing a novel linear programming approach for these problems. We illustrate our model by an example inspired by the UK electricity market, and show that scenario uncertainty leads to significant changes in the speed of replacement of conventional generators by renewable production.

Mon, 23 Jan 2023

14:00 - 15:00
L6

Deep low-rank transport maps for Bayesian inverse problems

Sergey Dolgov
(University of Bath)
Abstract

Characterising intractable high-dimensional random variables is one of the fundamental challenges in stochastic computation. We develop a deep transport map that is suitable for sampling concentrated distributions defined by an unnormalised density function. We approximate the target distribution as the push-forward of a reference distribution under a composition of order-preserving transformations, in which each transformation is formed by a tensor train decomposition. The use of composition of maps moving along a sequence of bridging densities alleviates the difficulty of directly approximating concentrated density functions. We propose two bridging strategies suitable for wide use: tempering the target density with a sequence of increasing powers, and smoothing of an indicator function with a sequence of sigmoids of increasing scales. The latter strategy opens the door to efficient computation of rare event probabilities in Bayesian inference problems.

Numerical experiments on problems constrained by differential equations show little to no increase in the computational complexity with the event probability going to zero, and allow to compute hitherto unattainable estimates of rare event probabilities for complex, high-dimensional posterior densities.
 

Fri, 18 Nov 2022
10:00
L6

Developing a method for testing the reactivity of silicon carbide (SiC) and silicon monoxide (SiO(g))

Harry Reynolds
(Elkem)

Note: we would recommend to join the meeting using the Teams client for best user experience.

Abstract

Elkem is developing a new method for categorising the reactivity between silicon carbide (SiC) powder and silicon monoxide gas (SiO(g)). Experiments have been designed which pass SiO gas through a powdered bed of SiC inside of a heated crucible, resulting in a reaction between the two. The SiO gas is produced via a secondary reaction outside of the SiC bed. Both reactions require specific temperature and pressure constraints to occur. Therefore, we would like to mathematically model the temperature distribution and gas flow within the experimental set-up to provide insight into how we can control the process.

 

Complexities arise from:

  • Endothermic reactions causing heat sinks
  • Competing reactions beyond the two we desire
  • Dynamically changing properties of the bed, such as permeability
Thu, 01 Dec 2022

12:00 - 13:00
L6

The inviscid limit of the stochastic Camassa--Holm equation with gradient noise

Peter Pang
Abstract

The Camassa--Holm (CH) equation is a nonlocal equation that manifests supercritical behaviour in ``wave-breaking" and non-uniqueness. In this talk, I will discuss the existence of global (dissipative weak martingale) solutions to the CH equation with multiplicative, gradient type noise, derived as an inviscid limit. The goal of the talk is twofold. The stochastic CH equation will be used to illustrate aspects of a stochastic compactness and renormalisation method which is popularly used to derive well-posedness and continuous dependence results in SPDEs. I shall also discuss how a lack of temporal compactness introduces fundamental difficulties in the case of the stochastic CH equation.

This talk is based on joint works with L. Galimbert and H. Holden, both at NTNU, and with K.H. Karlsen at the University of Oslo. 

Thu, 24 Nov 2022

12:00 - 13:00
L6

Multiscale analysis, low Mach number limit: from compressible to incompressible system

Aneta Wróblewska-Kamińska
Abstract

We will show asymptotic analysis for hydrodynamic system, as Navier-Stokes-Fourier system, as a useful tool in in the situation when certain parameters in the system – called characteristic numbers – vanish or become infinite. The choice of proper scaling, namely proper system of reference units, the parameters determining the behaviour of the system under consideration allow to eliminate unwanted or unimportant for particular phenomena modes of motion. The main goal of many studies devoted to asymptotic analysis of various physical systems is to derive a simplified set of equations - simpler for mathematical or numerical analysis. Such systems may be derived in a very formal way, however we will concentrate on rigorous mathematical analysis. I will concentrate on low Mach number limits with so called ill-prepared data and I will present some results which concerns passage from compressible to incompressible models of fluid flow emphasising difficulties characteristic for particular problems. In particular we will discuss Navier-Stokes-Fourier system on varying domains, a multi-scale problem for viscous heat-conducting fluids in fast rotation and the incompressible limit of compressible finitely extensible nonlinear bead-spring chain models for dilute polymeric fluids.

Thu, 17 Nov 2022
14:00
L6

Dispersive Sum Rules in AdS${}_2$

Waltraut Knop
(Stony Brook)

Note: we would recommend to join the meeting using the Zoom client for best user experience.

Further Information

It is also possible to join online via Zoom.

Abstract

Dispersion relations for S-matrices and CFT correlators translate UV consistency into bounds on IR observables. In this talk, I will begin with briefly introducing dispersionrelations in 2D flat space which will guide the analogous discussion in AdS2/CFT1. I will introduce a set of functionals acting on the 1D CFT. These will allow us to prove bounds on higher-derivative couplings in weakly coupled non-gravitational EFTs in AdS2. At the leading order in the bulk-point limit, the bounds agree with the flat-space result. Furthermore we can compute the leading universal effect of finite AdS radius on the bounds.

Mon, 24 Oct 2022
16:00
L6

Recasting Selmer Schemes

Jay Swar
Abstract

The Chabauty-Kim method is an effective algorithm for finding the $S$-integral points of hyperbolic curves by directly using the hyperbolicity in group-cohomological arguments. Central objects in the theory are affine spaces known as a Selmer schemes. We'll introduce the CK method and Selmer schemes, and demonstrate some additional structures possessed by Selmer schemes which can aid in implementing the CK method.
 

Fri, 02 Dec 2022
10:00
L6

Closest Point of Approach problem

Dr. Nikhil Banda MIOA and Dan Pollard
(Drumgrange)
Abstract

Consider an environment with two vehicles/platforms moving at a relative velocity (v). The objective is to predict the Closest Point of Approach (CPA) between the two platforms as defined by the parameters: CPA time (t0), CPA bearing (θ0), CPA distance (r0)[†].The challenge is to identify mathematical operations - either using geometric methods, or by use of tracking algorithms such as Kalman Filters (EKF, UKF), or a combination of both - to estimate the CPA parameters. The statistical errors in estimation of CPA parameters also need to be quantified with each observations at time ti. The signals to be employed are acoustic in nature and the receiver platform has one sensor. The parameters that can extracted from acoustic signals are current relative bearing (θ) and current doppler or range rate (S) 


[†]Defined currently using polar coordinate system.

Mon, 17 Oct 2022
16:00
L6

On the Balog-Szemerédi-Gowers theorem

Akshat Mudgal
Abstract

The Balog-Szemerédi-Gowers theorem is a powerful tool in additive combinatorics, that allows one to roughly convert any “large energy” estimate into a “small sumset” estimate. This has found applications in a lot of results in additive combinatorics and other areas. In this talk, we will provide a friendly introduction and overview of this result, and then discuss some proof ideas. No hardcore additive combinatorics pre-requisites will be assumed.

Fri, 04 Nov 2022
10:00
L6

Cold start forecasting problems

Trevor Sidery
(Tesco)

Note: we would recommend to join the meeting using the Teams client for best user experience.

Abstract

As one of the largest retailers in the world, Tesco relies on automated forecasting to help with decision making. A common issue with forecasts is that of the cold start problem; that we must make forecasts for new products that have no history to learn from. Lack of historical data becomes a real problem as it prevents us from knowing how products react to events, and if their sales react to the time of year. We might consider using similar products as a way to produce a starting forecast, but how should we define what ‘similar’ means, and how should we evolve this model as we start getting real live data? We’ll present some examples to hopefully start a fruitful discussion.

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