Alessandro Zocca

Tenured assistant professor @Math Department of the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

prof_pic.jpg
email:

a.zocca [at] vu.nl


address:

De Boelelaan 1111

1081 HV, Amsterdam,

The Netherlands

short bio

My research is centered around the study of complex networked systems in which randomness plays a crucial role. More specifically, I study dynamics and rare events in networks affected by uncertainty, drawing motivation from real-world applications in power systems. My work lies mostly in the area of applied probability but has deep ramifications in areas as diverse as operations research, graph theory, and optimization.

My long-term goal as a researcher is twofold. First, I aim to quantify and analyze the randomness emerging in these complex systems using both rigorous mathematical tools and data-driven learning methods. Second, I plan to develop adaptive algorithms and reinforcement learning control strategies to mitigate the impact of high-impact, low-probability events and enhance network robustness.

As the climate crisis exacerbates the frequency and severity of extreme weather events, my research aims to develop a novel and rigorous mathematical understanding of power systems’ resilience against such phenomena, which naturally exhibit pronounced spatial and temporal correlations. This is precisely the focus of my VIDI project, “Power Network Optimization in the Age of Climate Extremes”, recently funded by the Dutch Research Council (NWO).

More broadly, I am interested in stochastic dynamics on networks, especially when a non-trivial interplay emerges between the network structure and the system’s randomness, a setting where applied probability, learning, and optimization naturally meet.

I currently (co)supervise several PhD students:

  • Erica van der Sar at VU (2021-present) on “Multi-agent RL for power system topology control”
  • Chris Franssen at VU (2022-present) on “First-order methods for network connectivity optimization”
  • Berend Markhorst at VU (2022-present) on “Stochastic and robust optimization for pipe routing design”
  • Jobke Janssen at CWI (2023-present) on “Stochastic optimization of frequency reserve markets”

Together with K. Postek, J. Gromicho, and J. Kantor, I wrote a textbook titled “Hands-on Mathematical Optimization in Python”, which will be published in late 2024 by Cambridge University Press, see here. Resources and companion code are available here.

For a more detailed CV, visit the CV page. For a list of my publications, see my Google Scholar or visit the publication page.

news

Nov 22, 2024 I'm one of the organizers of the IFIP Performance 2025 conference, which will take place in Amsterdam from November 11 to 14, 2025. Consider submitting your papers there! For a comprehensive list of topics and submission guidelines, check out call for papers, deadline is May 25, 2025.
Nov 19, 2024 New preprint on dynamic dimensioning of frequency containment reserves, in collaboration with Jöbke Janssen, Bert Zwart, and Jalal Kazempour. This approach leverages a diffusion model for frequency fluctuations and leads to identical grid safety levels but at lower costs! This study focuses on the FCR-N product in the Nordic grid and using their historical frequency data. Check it out here!
Oct 24, 2024 I've been awarded a VIDI grant for my research proposal, "Power Network Optimization in the Age of Climate Extremes"! I'm very grateful to the NWO (Dutch Research Council) for the opportunity to develop new mathematical methods for more climate-resilient power grids. See the project description and the other recipients here.
Oct 22, 2024 I gave a presentation at INFORMS Annual Meeting in Seattle about the work in progress with Jalal Kazempour, Bert Zwart, and Jobke Janssen on data-driven stochastic frequency reserve dimensioning. Stay tuned for our preprint!
Oct 21, 2024 I have been interviewed about the RL work that Erica, Sandjai, and I have been doing in the context of power systems in collaboration with TenneT! Check it out here here!