Multi-Agent System algorithm for preventing cascading failures in smart grid systems

Abstract

In this work, a technique based on an adaptive Multi-Agent System algorithm is implemented to solve the complex problem of cascading failure events which lead to total blackout. This method proposes a solution to a variant of cascading failure events and is unique as previous literature focuses on identifying the possibility of occurrence of the cascading failures and then mitigates the failures. The proposed solution which utilizes pre-stated mathematical combinations that aim to redispatch the power from the generators is dynamically and experimentally applied in real-time, therefore it considers all the active factors and constraints involved as it halts the occurrence of cascading failures after an N-1 contingency. The distributed and intelligent algorithm is modeled to suit power system applications and then implemented on an experimental set up of the generation and transmission side of the IEEE 30-bus system utilizing a reconfigurable Smart Grid Laboratory hardware developed for testing distributed algorithms requiring two way communication capabilities.