Reconfigurable interdependent infrastructure systems: Advances in distributed sensing, modeling, and control

Secure and reliable operation of complex interactive power networks poses significant theoretical and practical challenges in analysis, modeling, simulation, prediction, control, and optimization. In addition, mathematical models of such interactive systems are typically vague (or may not even exist); moreover, existing and classical methods of solution are either unavailable, or are not sufficiently powerful. In this paper, we briefly address this problem, and discuss recent advances in distributed sensing, modeling, and control, particularly at the consumer level. Such advances contribute toward the development of an effective, intelligent, distributed control of power system networks to achieve the overall objectives of efficiency, robustness, security, and reliability.