Work

Cascade failures and distributed generation in power grids

Year: 2015

Type: article

Abstract: Power grids are nowadays experiencing a transformation due to the introduction of distributed generation based on renewable sources. At difference with classical distributed generation, where local power sources mitigate anomalous user consumption peaks, renewable sources introduce in the grid intrinsically erratic power inputs. By introducing a simple schematic (but realistic) model for power grids with stochastic distributed generation, we study the effects of erratic sources on the robustness of several IEEE power grid test networks with up to 2 × 103 buses. We find that increasing the penetration of erratic sources causes the grid to fail with a sharp transition. We compare such results with the case of failures caused by the natural increasing power demand.

Source: International Journal of Critical Infrastructures

DOI: 10.1504/ijcis.2015.067395

Authors: Antonio Scala, Sakshi Pahwa, Caterina M. Scoglio

Institutions: London Institute for Mathematical Sciences, Institute for Complex Systems, National Research Council, Sapienza University of Rome, Kansas State University

Language: English

Topic: Complex Network Analysis Techniques

Subfield: Statistical and Nonlinear Physics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Affordable and clean energy, Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Open Access status: green

Funder: U.S. Department of Energy