Modelling Cascading Failures in Power Distribution Networks

Abstract

Cascade Failure behaviour within power distribution networks was modelled and implemented in the programming language R. The power transported by each line in a network was calculated using DC flow analysis and compared to the capacity of the line. Lines were removed from the network and the flows were recalculated to simulate the behaviour of line protection devices. The model was used to demonstrate the varying degrees of failure which will occur depending on the spare capacity within a network at the time a failure occurs and depending on which line experiences the initial fault