ABSTRACT
The complexity of future smart grids and the expected high level of uncertainties in these networks might radically affect the required security and reliability of power systems operation. Wide-area measurement systems (WAMSs) involve the use of system-wide information and the communication of selected local information to a remote location to counteract the propagation of large disturbances and reduce the probability of potential catastrophic blackouts. It is expected that WAMS will in the future generally improve the reliability and security of energy production, transmission, and distribution, particularly in power networks with a high level of operational uncertainties. To realize these benefits, researchers and designers of high-performance WAMS are revisiting numerous design issues 176and assumptions pertaining to scale, reliability, heterogeneity, manageability, and system evolution over time.
Following these research directions, in this chapter, we outline the important role played by cooperative and self-organizing smart sensor networks. In particular, we explore the possibility of decentralizing the WAMS processing and synchronization functions on a network of interactive smart units equipped by distributed consensus protocols. Detailed simulation studies aimed at assessing the effectiveness of the proposed computing and synchronization paradigm are presented and discussed.
