Robust Testing of Cascading Failure Mitigations Based on Power Dispatch and Quick-Start Storage

Abstract

We present a formal robust testing method for power system cascading failure mitigations. The approach is model-based, using simulated trajectories of the system and proving that uncertainties, e.g., in the initial states or disturbances, do not perturb the trajectories beyond a robust neighborhood around them. We model power systems as hybrid systems with locations representing different swing dynamics and relay dynamics. We present implementations of our robust testing approach in a three-machine system model from the 2003 Italian Blackout and the IEEE 39-bus system model. We apply the robust testing method in two scenarios for averting the cascading failures: 1) robust testing of safety for various generator mechanical power dispatch schedules and 2) robust testing of safety for postfault remedial actions based on quick-start storage.