Topological analysis of the power grid and mitigation strategies against cascading failures

This paper presents a complex systems overview of a power grid network under cascading conditions. The cascading effect has been simulated on three different networks, the IEEE 300 bus test system, the IEEE 118 bus test system, and the WSCC 179 bus equivalent model. Power Degradation is discussed here as a measure to estimate the damage to the network, in terms of load loss and node loss. A network generator has been developed to generate graphs with characteristics similar to the real networks and the generated graphs are then compared with the real networks to show the effect of topology in determining the robustness of a power grid. Four mitigation strategies, based on Homogeneous Load Reduction, Targeted Load Reduction for Neighbors, Targeted Range-Based Load Reduction, and Use of Distributed Renewable Sources in combination with Islanding, have been suggested. The Homogeneous Load Reduction is the simplest to implement but the Targeted Range-Based Load Reduction is very economical...

• Type: Journal
• Year: 2010
• Where: CORR
• Authors: Sakshi Pahwa, Amelia Hodges, Caterina M. Scoglio, Sean Wood
• Keywords: CORR 2010, Education, Homogeneous Load Reduction, Load Reduction, Range-Based Load Reduction