Impacts of information and communication failures on optimal power system operation

This paper focuses on recognizing the ways in which information and communication network failures cause a loss of control over a power system´s operation. Using numerical evidence, it also assesses the specific impacts of such failures on the optimal operation of a power system. Optimal power flow (OPF) is the most prominent method for implementing optimal operation. In OPF, it is assumed that all power appliances are accessible through the communication and information network, and all power devices are set as the output of OPF; nevertheless, the loss of control and operation of the power system´s apparatuses may seriously impact the real-time operation of the bulk power system. The control and operation of the power system is dedicated to a modern communication network, in that intelligent electronic devices (IEDs) are connected to apparatuses of the power network. Data communication among IEDs enables both automatic and remote manual control of the power system. Although such a network offers new advantages and possibilities not previously achievable, it intrinsically has its own source of failures, such as the failure of physical components, loss of integrity, software failures and data communication faults.