Controlling complex networks: How much energy is needed?

TL;DR

This paper investigates the energy requirements for controlling complex networks by deriving and validating scaling laws for energy bounds, advancing understanding of the control costs in networked dynamical systems.

Contribution

It introduces new scaling laws for the energy bounds in controlling complex networks, bridging controllability theory and practical energy considerations.

Findings

Derived and validated energy scaling laws for control bounds.

Provided estimates for the energy cost of controlling networked systems.

Enhanced understanding of control energy requirements in complex networks.

Abstract

The outstanding problem of controlling complex networks is relevant to many areas of science and engineering, and has the potential to generate technological breakthroughs as well. We address the physically important issue of the energy required for achieving control by deriving and validating scaling laws for the lower and upper energy bounds. These bounds represent a reasonable estimate of the energy cost associated with control, and provide a step forward from the current research on controllability toward ultimate control of complex networked dynamical systems.