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Evaluating complex network indices for vulnerability analysis of a territorial power grid

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Abstract

In order to meet power demands in a sustainable way, power grids are gradually being adjusted to fit into a smart grid paradigm. A common problem in this kind of transition is to identify locations where it is most beneficial to invest in distributed generation. In order to assist in such a decision, we work on a graph model of a regional power grid. We apply optimization strategies on power flows, and verify the current degree of self-sufficiency of the network, with special reference to the effect of natural variations in wind-based production. We propose a method to assess collateral damage to the network resulting from a localized failure, and proceed to perform complex network analysis on multiple instances of the network, looking for correlations between estimated damages and betweenness centrality indices, with the purpose of attempting to determine which model is best suited to predict features of our network.

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Acknowledgments

Pier Luigi Pau gratefully acknowledges Sardinia Regional Government for the financial support of his Ph.D. scholarship (P.O.R. Sardegna F.S.E. Operational Programme of the Autonomous Region of Sardinia, European Social Fund 2007–2013—Axis IV Human Resources, Objective l.3, Line of Activity l.3.1.).

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  1. Department of Computer Science, University of Cagliari, Via Ospedale 72, 09124, Cagliari, Italy

    Gianni Fenu & Pier Luigi Pau

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  1. Gianni Fenu
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  2. Pier Luigi Pau
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Correspondence to Gianni Fenu.

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Fenu, G., Pau, P.L. Evaluating complex network indices for vulnerability analysis of a territorial power grid. J Ambient Intell Human Comput 6, 297–306 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12652-015-0264-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12652-015-0264-0

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