Using Cascades to Predict Weak Spots in Power Grids
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-11-16/looking-for-a-grid-s-weak-spots-scientists-may-have-the-answer
Three researchers from Northwestern University used knowledge of cascades to develop a model to check how power would be distributed in the event of a power outage. Whereas older models of grids analyze only a small section of the grid or simplify the effects of power flow, the researchers’ model uses data from the entire national grid. This is important to find out the effects local failure have on the wider grid, and to predict widespread power outages. According to the study, about 11 percent of lines experienced a failure that resulted in a cascade.
Using knowledge of cascades is vital for this application to better predict how future lines will act. In class we use cascades to determine how future nodes will act in a network. In this scenario each node pertains to each connecting line. Using the cascade model works to see which lines should fail given that a neighboring node fails as well. The researchers are able to determine this based on tests.