The Controllability of Power Grids in Comparison with Classical Complex Network Models

Abstract

SUMMARYThe controllability of complex networks has attracted increasing attention within various scientific fields. Many power grids are complex networks with some common topological characteristics such as small-world and scale-free features. This Letter investigate the controllability of some real power grids in comparison with classical complex network models with the same number of nodes. Several conclusions are drawn after detailed analyses using several real power grids together with Erdös-Rényi (ER) random networks, Wattz-Strogatz (WS) small-world networks, Barabási-Albert (BA) scale-free networks and configuration model (CM) networks. The main conclusion is that most driver nodes of power grids are hub-free nodes with low nodal degree values of 1 or 2. The controllability of power grids is determined by degree distribution and heterogeneity, and power grids are harder to control than WS networks and CM networks while easier than BA networks. Some power grids are relatively difficult to control because they require a far higher ratio of driver nodes than ER networks, while other power grids are easier to control for they require a driver node ratio less than or equal to ER random networks.

An Evolving Network Model for Power Grids Based on Geometrical Location Clusters

“…The development of complex network modeling methods opens up a new way for the analysis of the operating state of power systems, providing a new perspective and a new research method. Using the perspective of complex networks [2]- [5] to analyze and study power grids can help to grasp the complexity of power grids and the dynamic characteristics of the whole network response as a whole. In the complex network theory [6], the modeling method is also called model analysis method, which regards the large system in nature as a network of interactions between a large number of individuals, and then studies its statistical characteristics and its evolution property.…”