news

New preprint! Together with Thao Le, Robbert van der Burg, Bernd Heidergott, and Ines Lindner, we have just finished a new paper titled “Random Walks with Traversal Costs: Variance-Aware Performance Analysis and Network Optimization”. We introduce weighted Markovian graphs, a framework that decouples random walk dynamics from (possibly stochastic) edge traversal costs, and derive closed-form expressions for the mean and variance of weighted first passage times and Kemeny constants. We showcase the framework through two applications to surveillance patrol policies and traffic network optimization under disruptions. Read the preprint on arXiv.

Two new preprints! We recently finished and submitted two papers with PhD student Berend Markhorst: “A Fast Heuristic for Stochastic Steiner Tree Problems” (read the first preprint on arXiv) and “LOTUS: A Warm-Start Framework for Powering Dual Decomposition in Large-Scale Two-Stage Stochastic Programs”, which stemmed from Emma Cornielje’s master’s thesis (read the second preprint on arXiv).

Talk at the Champéry Power Conference 2026! On February 9, I gave a talk titled “From Static to Smart: Rethinking Grid Stability with Dynamic Reserves”, based on joint work with Jöbke Janssen, Bert Zwart, and Jalal Kazempour.

New preprint! I finished writing and submitted a new paper “Metastable opinion dynamics with hidden preferences: an Ising model with neutral agents” in collaboration with Vanessa Jacquier and Simone Baldassarri. Read the preprint on arXiv.

Paper published! The article “Dynamic Dimensioning of Frequency Containment Reserves: The Case of the Nordic Grid”, written in collaboration with Jöbke Janssen, Bert Zwart, and Jalal Kazempour, has been published in IEEE Transactions on Power Systems. View the published paper.

Paper published! The survey paper “Optimizing Power Grid Topologies with Reinforcement Learning: A Survey of Methods and Challenges”, written in collaboration with Erica van der Sar and Sandjai Bhulai, has been published in Foundations and Trends® in Electric Energy Systems. View the published paper.

Paper published! The article “A First-Order Gradient Approach for the Connectivity Optimization of Markov Chains”, written in collaboration with Christian Franssen and Bernd Heidergott, has been published in IEEE Transactions on Automatic Control. View the published paper.

Paper accepted! The article “Mixed-integer Linear Programming Approaches for Tree Partitioning of Power Networks”, written in collaboration with Leon Lan, has been accepted for publication in IEEE Transactions on Control of Network Systems. View the published paper.

New preprint on a new approach named TULIP for solving two-stage stochastic (mixed) integer linear programs with an exponential number of constraints. This paper was written in collaboration with Berend Markhorst, Markus Leitner, Joost Berkhout, and Rob van der Mei. Read the preprint on arXiv.

I co-organized the IFIP Performance 2025 conference, held in Amsterdam from November 11 to 14, 2025.

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 achieves the same grid-safety level at lower cost. The study focuses on the FCR-N product in the Nordic grid and uses historical grid-frequency data. Read the preprint on arXiv.

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 to make power grids more climate-resilient. See the NWO project page.

I presented our work on data-driven stochastic frequency-reserve dimensioning with Jalal Kazempour, Bert Zwart, and Jöbke Janssen at the INFORMS Annual Meeting in Seattle.

I was interviewed about the reinforcement-learning work that Erica, Sandjai, and I have been doing on power systems in collaboration with TenneT. Read the VU interview.