Effects of demand control on the complex dynamics of electric power system blackouts.

The propagation of failures and blackouts in electric networks is a complex problem. Typical models, such as the ORNL-PSerc-Alaska (OPA), are based on a combination of fast and slow dynamics. The first describes the cascading failures while the second describes the grid evolution through line and generation upgrades as well as demand growth, all taking place in time scales from days to years.

Critical behavior of power transmission network complex dynamics in the OPA model.

Many complex infrastructure systems, such as electric power transmission grids, display characteristics of a critical or near critical behavior with a risk of large cascading failures. Understanding this risk and its relation to the system state as it evolves could allow for a more realistic risk assessment and even for mitigation measures. We use the OPA model of cascading blackouts and grid evolution to describe and quantify regimes of criticality of the power grid.

The Radial Propagation of Heat in Strongly Driven Non-Equilibrium Fusion Plasmas.

Heat transport is studied in strongly heated fusion plasmas, far from thermodynamic equilibrium. The radial propagation of perturbations is studied using a technique based on the transfer entropy. Three different magnetic confinement devices are studied, and similar results are obtained.

The interplay of network structure and dispatch solutions in power grid cascading failures.

For a given minimum cost of the electricity dispatch, multiple equivalent dispatch solutions may exist. We explore the sensitivity of networks to these dispatch solutions and their impact on the vulnerability of the network to cascading failure blackouts. It is shown that, depending on the heterogeneity of the network structure, the blackout statistics can be sensitive to the dispatch solution chosen, with the clustering coefficient of the network being a key ingredient.

Complex systems analysis of series of blackouts: cascading failure, critical points, and self-organization.

We give an overview of a complex systems approach to large blackouts of electric power transmission systems caused by cascading failure. Instead of looking at the details of particular blackouts, we study the statistics and dynamics of series of blackouts with approximate global models. Blackout data from several countries suggest that the frequency of large blackouts is governed by a power law.