Electric Power

In support of ICASA's mission to solve critical infrastructure protection problems, the Electric Power team focuses on two research areas: 1) understanding fundamental behavior and vulnerabilities between power system components as they interact through the network, and 2) developing means by which precursors to large failures can be detected and their impact mitigated. Key elements of the research are modeling and simulation of electric power systems as hybrid dynamical systems, and analysis methods founded in control and systems theory.

Hybrid dynamical system models provide the framework through which the two fundamentally different, yet joined, electric power system functions can be represented: 1) the network of interconnected dynamic components (generators, loads, controllers, transmission lines, etc.) responsible for power delivery and 2) the logical switching (breakers, load-tap changers, saturation, etc.) responsible for power quality and safety. Resulting models are of varied, user-selected resolution and form a set of switched differential-algebraic equations that are solved numerically through computer simulation. Computer simulation permits transient responses, component interactions, and global responses. System studies are cast within an “input-output” systems/control theory context where the influence of inputs and parameters on particular outputs is quantified through linear and nonlinear dynamical system analysis techniques. Implications of these studies include identification and level of interaction among components, and estimation of grid status and states from limited measurements.

Point of Contact: Dr. Kevin Wedeward