The impact of optimizing algebraic connectivity in hierarchical communication networks for transmission operations in smart grids

Most recently, algebraic connectivity has been used in the ongoing research effort that characterizes the robustness of networks to failures and attacks: the larger the algebraic connectivity, the more robust a network, and thus, the larger the number of links that must be removed to fragment the network. In this paper, we investigate the impact on the topology and traffic characteristics of the communication network that supports the transmission component of the smart grid, as links are added/rewired to maximally increase algebraic connectivity. Conventionally, the topology of the communication network tends to be identical to that of the power network. However, we first illustrate through a Demand Response (DR) application that a topology which may be ideal for the power network, may not necessarily be ideal for the communication network. Secondly, we demonstrate how concepts from graph theory can dramatically improve the performance characteristics of a communication network. Finally, we show that in certain cases, rewiring or adding links provide the same level of performance. Thus, network engineers at the initial stage of deploying communication infrastructure, can opt for either solution depending on financial constraints.