Analytical Models for Power Networks: The case of the Western US and ERCOT grids

TL;DR

This paper introduces an analytical model for large power grid evolution, capturing key structural features and enabling realistic test case generation to study topological effects on grid stability and technology integration.

Contribution

The paper presents a novel, analytically tractable model that provides a closed-form expression for the degree distribution in large power grids, aiding topological analysis.

Findings

Model accurately reproduces observed degree distributions.

Analytical expressions facilitate understanding of grid structural features.

Model can generate realistic test cases for grid analysis.

Abstract

The topological structure of the power grid plays a key role in the reliable delivery of electricity and price settlement in the electricity market. Incorporation of new energy sources and loads into the grid over time has led to its structural and geographical expansion and can affect its stable operation. This paper presents an intuitive analytical model for the temporal evolution of large grids and uses it to understand common structural features observed in grids across America. In particular, key graph parameters like degree distribution, graph diameter, betweenness centralities, eigen-spread and clustering coefficients, as well as graph processes like infection propagation are used to quantify the model's benefits through comparison with the Western US and ERCOT power grids. The most significant contribution of the developed model is its analytical tractability, that provides a closed form expression for the nodal degree distribution observed in large grids. The discussed model can be used to generate realistic test cases to analyze topological effects on grid functioning and new grid technologies.