Control and Optimization Methods for Electric Smart Grids

by Aranya Chakrabortty (Editor), Marija D. Ilić (Editor)

Control and Optimization Methods for Electric Smart Grids brings together leading experts in power, control and communication systems, and consolidates some of the most promising recent research in smart grid modeling, control and optimization in hopes of laying the foundation for future advances in this critical field of study. The contents comprise eighteen essays addressing wide varieties of control-theoretic problems for tomorrow’s power grid. Topics covered include control architectures for power system networks with large-scale penetration of renewable energy and plug-in vehicles, optimal demand response, new modeling methods for electricity markets, cyber-security,data analysis and wide-area control using synchronized phasor measurements.

388 pages, Hardcover

First published December 16, 2011

Reviews

[Kevin K. Gillette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently took up an abiding interest in the "Smart Grid" initiative set forth by the U.S. Department of Energy some years ago. My interest was piqued by an article I read in the monthly SIAM News (SIAM = Society of Industrial and Applied Mathematics) that described a number of mathematically challenging problems posed by the large electric power grids in the U.S. and elsewhere. To satisfy my curiosity, I poked around to find out who was an active researcher in the field, and discovered Prof. Chakrabortty, who teaches at North Carolina State University. Prof. Chakrabortty was very kind in responding to my emails with questions, and recommended that I check out this volume (co-edited with Prof Ilic at Carnegie Mellon University), as he said it contained articles covering all of the major topics.

I was incredibly surprised at just how complete it is! There are 18 articles that cover the waterfront in this technically complex field, from problems in generation and transmission to issues with security, network vulnerability, and how to make a high-availability system. It would be difficult to summarize each article, but it suffices to say that if you have at least a basic familiarity with the parlance of electric power systems and are keen to understand just why it is that the U.S. power grid is considered one of the man-made wonders of the world, then this collection is a terrific entrée to the field. It has provoked my interest to the extent that I am now seriously considering obtaining a professional certificate in electric power systems (similar to obtaining a professional engineering credential) - so watch this space for more developments there!