ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a comprehensive study on the topological and electrical characteristics of a power grid transmission network based on a number of synthetic and real-world power systems. The D. J. Watts–S. H. Strogatz small-world model is generated starting from a regular ring lattice, then, using a small probability, rewiring some local links to an arbitrary node chosen uniformly at random from the entire network. The chapter explores an algorithm that is able to generate random topology power grids featuring the same topology and electrical characteristics as those found in the real data. It draws on the topological and electrical characteristics of a sample medium-voltage power distribution network. The chapter focuses on the high-voltage transmission network of a power grid. The smart grid is also positioned to adopt new technologies, such as smart metering, synchronous phasor measurement units, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, various forms of distributed generation, solar and wind energy, electric load management systems and distribution automation.
