Power Grids, Smart Grids and Complex Networks

The objective of the lecture is to present some possible Complex Networks approaches to study and understand Power Grids and to improve them into Smart Grids. We first sketch the general properties of the Electric System with an attention to the effects of Distributed Generation. We then analyse the effects of renewable power sources on Voltage Controllability. Afterwords, we study the impact of electric line overloads on the nature of Blackouts. Finally, we discuss the possibility of implementing Self Healing capabilities into Power Grids through the use of Routing Protocols.