A Generation Prioritization Method for Power System Restorations with Renewable Resources

The electrical grid is a key component of the Nation’s critical infrastructure. Its continuous and reliable operation is of vital importance; any systemwide disruption would have a debilitating impact on crucial services, public health and safety, the economy, and the national security of the United States. Rare high-impact disasters pose the greatest threat to the grid due to their severity and unpredictability; these may be caused by naturally occurring events (e.g., earthquakes, solar storms, extreme weather conditions) or acts of human volition (e.g., malicious cyber-, or coordinated set of physical attacks). To improve the resilience of the grid against such threats and enhance the protection of the critical infrastructure, this research examines ways to considerably accelerate power system restoration processes. We propose a new generation prioritization method for time-sensitive system restorations, which significantly shortens the total restoration-times. To achieve this, we leverage available renewable generation and develop an algorithm that plans the optimal operational schedule of the system close to real time. Validation and benchmarking experiments were performed on test systems modeled after the electrical grid of the U.S. Pacific Northwest, and these proved that this convenient tool supports a quick recovery, faster than other common approaches.

Major Advisor: Eduardo Cotilla-Sanchez
Committee: Ted Brekken
Committee: Rakesh Bobba
Committee: Adam Schultz
GCR: Brady Gibbons