Analytics for Resilient Control of Electricity Distribution Networks: Modeling Failure Models of Distributed Energy Resources and Protection Equipment

The project aims to build analytics-based models and resilient control algorithms of two classes of failures to electricity distribution networks: disruption of distributed energy resources (DERs), and malfunctioning of protection equipment (e.g., circuit breakers, voltage/current monitors).These models will be built using available real-world data from past contingency situations faced by distribution utilities, and from conducting stochastic simulations using power network simulators. We will consider both reliability (random failures) and security (malicious attacks)events. Failure to incorporate these models in algorithms for distribution network control can cause loss of voltage regulation, load shedding, permanent damage to equipment, and even cascading effects to other distribution networks. The project addresses this challenge by integrating analytics-based models of failure events with algorithms for voltage regulation and load/DER control, and switching of protection equipment.