Dynamic improvement of robustness of power transmission grids in decentralized and distributed environments

Abstract

Power transmission networks are large scale complex distributed and networked systems, situated in dynamic environments. Managing such systems is essentially decentralized and distributed. The main function of power transmission grids is to assure the security and reliability of the network and to avoid blackouts. Key elements that can determine the security and reliability in transmitting power are the grids topological structures as well as their physical and operational behaviors and states. The capacity of a network to cope with disturbance imposed on it defines its degree of robustness. In assessing power grids reliability, their robustness and vulnerability against failures (both random failures and intentional attacks) must be taken into account. The secure delivery of power as well as the ability to protect and react to power outage and failures must be done in a distributed environment. Improving the robustness of the grids in distributed environment with no centralized control and management is a challenge. This work propose an effective theoretical method based on complex network approaches for improving robustness of power transmission networks dynamically by reducing their vulnerability in a decentralized and distributed environment. The method is applied to test a grid system to demonstrate its effectiveness on improving the networks robustness.