Generating random topology power grids

Zhifang Wang, Robert J. Thomas, Anna Scaglione

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

58 Scopus citations

Abstract

Simulation based on standard models is often used as part of the engineering design process to test theories and exercise new concepts before actually placing them into operation. In order to tackle the problem of likely widespread catastrophic failures of electric power grids, an autonomously reconfigurable power system will have to rely on wide-area communication systems, networked sensors, and restorative strategies for monitoring and control. Standard practice is to use simulation of a small number of certain historical test systems to test the efficacy of any proposed design. We believe this practice has shortcomings when examining new communication system ideas. In this paper we develop the means for producing power grids with scalable size and randomly generated topologies. These ensembles of networks can then be used as a statistical tool to study the scale of communication needs and the performance of the combined electric power control and communication networks. The topological and system features of the randomly generated power grids are compared with those of standard power system test models as a "sanity check" on the method.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationProceedings of the 41st Annual Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences 2008, HICSS
DOIs
StatePublished - 2008
Externally publishedYes
Event41st Annual Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences 2008, HICSS - Big Island, HI, United States
Duration: Jan 7 2008Jan 10 2008

Publication series

NameProceedings of the Annual Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences
ISSN (Print)1530-1605

Other

Other41st Annual Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences 2008, HICSS
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityBig Island, HI
Period1/7/081/10/08

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Engineering

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