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Knowing power grids and understanding complexity science

Author

Listed:
  • Martí Rosas-Casals
  • Sandro Bologna
  • Ettore F. Bompard
  • Gregorio D'Agostino
  • Wendy Ellens
  • Giuliano Andrea Pagani
  • Antonio Scala
  • Trivik Verma

Abstract

Complex networks theory has been well established as a useful framework for studying and analysing structure, dynamics and evolution of many complex systems. Infrastructural and man-made systems like power grids, gas and water networks and the internet, have been also included in this network framework, albeit sometimes ignoring the huge historical body of knowledge surrounding them. Although there seems to exist clear evidence that both complexity approach in general, and complex networks in particular, can be useful, it is necessary and profitable to put forward some of the limits that this scheme is facing when dealing with not so complex but rather complicated systems like the power grid. In this introductory paper, we offer a critical revision of the usefulness of the complexity and complex networks' approach in this latter case, highlighting both its strengths and weaknesses. At the same time we emphasise the disconnection between the so called complex and the more traditional engineering communities as one of the major drawbacks in the advent of a true body of understanding, more than simply knowing the subtleties of this kind of complex systems.

Suggested Citation

  • Martí Rosas-Casals & Sandro Bologna & Ettore F. Bompard & Gregorio D'Agostino & Wendy Ellens & Giuliano Andrea Pagani & Antonio Scala & Trivik Verma, 2015. "Knowing power grids and understanding complexity science," International Journal of Critical Infrastructures, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 11(1), pages 4-14.
    • Handle: RePEc:ids:ijcist:v:11:y:2015:i:1:p:4-14
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    3. Roy Cerqueti & Matteo Cinelli & Giovanna Ferraro & Antonio Iovanella, 2023. "Financial interbanking networks resilience under shocks propagation," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 330(1), pages 389-409, November.
    4. Abedi, Amin & Gaudard, Ludovic & Romerio, Franco, 2019. "Review of major approaches to analyze vulnerability in power system," Reliability Engineering and System Safety, Elsevier, vol. 183(C), pages 153-172.
    5. Gianluca Fulli & Marcelo Masera & Catalin Felix Covrig & Francesco Profumo & Ettore Bompard & Tao Huang, 2017. "The EU Electricity Security Decision-Analytic Framework: Status and Perspective Developments," Energies, MDPI, vol. 10(4), pages 1-20, March.
    6. Lucas Cuadra & Miguel Del Pino & José Carlos Nieto-Borge & Sancho Salcedo-Sanz, 2017. "Optimizing the Structure of Distribution Smart Grids with Renewable Generation against Abnormal Conditions: A Complex Networks Approach with Evolutionary Algorithms," Energies, MDPI, vol. 10(8), pages 1-31, July.
    7. Scala, Antonio & De Sanctis Lucentini, Pier Giorgio, 2016. "The equal load-sharing model of cascade failures in power grids," Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications, Elsevier, vol. 462(C), pages 737-742.
    8. Lucas Cuadra & Sancho Salcedo-Sanz & Javier Del Ser & Silvia Jiménez-Fernández & Zong Woo Geem, 2015. "A Critical Review of Robustness in Power Grids Using Complex Networks Concepts," Energies, MDPI, vol. 8(9), pages 1-55, August.
    9. Kazim, Muhammad & Pirim, Harun & Yadav, Om Prakash & Le, Chau & Le, Trung, 2025. "Analysis of multilayer energy networks: A comprehensive literature review," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 398(C).
    10. Daniel A. Eisenberg & Jeryang Park & Thomas P. Seager, 2017. "Sociotechnical Network Analysis for Power Grid Resilience in South Korea," Complexity, Hindawi, vol. 2017, pages 1-14, October.

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