TY - GEN
T1 - Statistical classification of cascading failures in power grids
AU - Pfitzner, René
AU - Turitsyn, Konstantin
AU - Chertkov, Michael
PY - 2011
Y1 - 2011
N2 - We introduce a new microscopic model of the outages in transmission power grids. This model accounts for the automatic response of the grid to load fluctuations that take place on the scale of minutes, when the optimum power flow adjustments and load shedding controls are unavailable. We describe extreme events, initiated by load fluctuations, which cause cascading failures of loads, generators and lines. Our model is quasi-static in the causal, discrete time and sequential resolution of individual failures. The model, in its simplest realization based on the Directed Current description of the power flow problem, is tested on three standard IEEE systems consisting of 30, 39 and 118 buses. Our statistical analysis suggests a straightforward classification of cascading and islanding phases in terms of the ratios between average number of removed loads, generators and links. The analysis also demonstrates sensitivity to variations in line capacities. Future research challenges in modeling and control of cascading outages over real-world power networks are discussed.
AB - We introduce a new microscopic model of the outages in transmission power grids. This model accounts for the automatic response of the grid to load fluctuations that take place on the scale of minutes, when the optimum power flow adjustments and load shedding controls are unavailable. We describe extreme events, initiated by load fluctuations, which cause cascading failures of loads, generators and lines. Our model is quasi-static in the causal, discrete time and sequential resolution of individual failures. The model, in its simplest realization based on the Directed Current description of the power flow problem, is tested on three standard IEEE systems consisting of 30, 39 and 118 buses. Our statistical analysis suggests a straightforward classification of cascading and islanding phases in terms of the ratios between average number of removed loads, generators and links. The analysis also demonstrates sensitivity to variations in line capacities. Future research challenges in modeling and control of cascading outages over real-world power networks are discussed.
KW - Power system dynamics
KW - Power system faults
KW - Power system reliability
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=82855169093&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=82855169093&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1109/PES.2011.6039412
DO - 10.1109/PES.2011.6039412
M3 - Conference contribution
AN - SCOPUS:82855169093
SN - 9781457710018
T3 - IEEE Power and Energy Society General Meeting
BT - 2011 IEEE PES General Meeting
T2 - 2011 IEEE PES General Meeting: The Electrification of Transportation and the Grid of the Future
Y2 - 24 July 2011 through 28 July 2011
ER -