Controllability Assessment for Cascade Effects in ICT-enabled Power Grids

Abstract

Abstract. Despite the available monitor and control functionalities, the timely reconfiguration of modern power grids is not always feasible, due to the inherent inertia of the power elements. Therefore, especially in the case of abrupt phenomena (e.g. loss of power lines), power grids tend to suffer from severe cascade effects, since the triggering failure is usually followed by successive overloads. Additionally, the grid’s efficient reaction is further restrained by the performance of the underlying ICT system, i.e. delays in the reception of the monitor/control information. The present paper introduces a novel framework for assessing the con- trollability of ICT-enabled power grids. Assuming structural failures, the proposed methodology quantifies the system’s ability to be readjusted in a way that ceases the progressing damage and re-establishes operation within the grid’s physical constraints. The controllability is identified as a function of the overall system’s power and ICT characteristics, without considering any specific control strategy.JRC.E.2-Technology Innovation in Securit