Complex Systems Track
Description: A complex system may be large or small in scale. A characteristic, however, is that such a system exhibit a behavior under stress that is difficult to predict. This may be because models are not well understood (i.e. load models in electric power systems, behavioral models in social and economic systems). It may be because the number of variables is so large that it is beyond simulation capabilities of current computers, or because the relation between a large number of variables is so complex that current mathematics or simulation methods are inadequate. The electric power system is a worthy example of such a system.
This track seeks to explore methods at the frontier of understanding complex system phenomena. Of special interest is the use of the electric power systems as a context for this exploration.
Track Chair
Robert J. Thomas
School of Electrical Engineering
Cornell University
428 Phillips Hall
Ithaca, New York 14853
Email: rjt1@cornell.edu
Phone: (607) 255-5083, Fax: (607) 255-8871
Information Management
Description: As the electricity industry becomes increasingly competitive, knowledge concerning the capacity, constraints and reliability of the electric system will become a commodity of great value. Electricity markets can be fast changing; understanding the implications of these changes before others can give an important competitive advantage. Power systems, however, are characterized by extremely large sets of data that cover spatial, temporal and contingent dimensions.
Suitable papers for this session should present techniques for managing and visualizing large scale models which may be distributed across multiple operating authorities. Papers that cover both distribution and transmission network applications are invited.
Minitrack Chairs:
Dr. Robin Podmore
Incremental Systems
4618 194th Ave S.E.
Issaquah WA 98027
Phone: 206 643 3166
Fax 206 644 7634
Email: robin@incsys.com |
Prof. Thomas J. Overbye
Dept. of Electrical & Computer Engineering
University of Illinois
1406 W. Green Street
Urbana, IL 61801
Phone: 217-333-4463
Fax: 217-333-1162
Email: overbye@ece.uiuc.edu |
Security and Reliability
Description: This minitrack focuses on topics related to the ability of complex systems such as power systems to survive disturbances with minimal impact on performance. Specific topics include: steady-state and dynamic security assessment where the impacts of pre-specified contingencies are analyzed; Available Transfer Capability (ATC) which quantifies the ability of the interconnected system to accept increases in power transfers; and related technologies.
Minitrack Chairs:
Peter W. Sauer
Dept. of Electrical & Computer Engineering
University of Illinois
1406 W. Green St.
Urbana, IL 61801
Tel: 217-333-0394
Fax: 217-333-1162
Email: sauer@ece.uiuc.edu
Self Organized Criticality
Description: Many large complex systems exhibit evidence of self-organized criticality. Papers dealing with self-organized criticality in large interconnected networks are encouraged. Issues such as the role of network size and topology along with the influence of network loading and operation on self-organized criticality are of interest. Evidence that large network disturbances are of a self-organized type is sought. Mechanisms of self-organized behavior in large networks are of interest.
Minitrack Chairs:
Sarosh Talukdar
Dept. of ECE
Carnegie-Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA
Tel: 412-268-8778
Fax: 412-268-5229
Email: Talukdar@ece.cmu.edu |
James S Thorp
Professor and Director
School of Electrical Engineering
224 Phillips Hall
Cornell University
Ithaca NY 14850-5401
Tel: (607) 255-3347
Fax: (607) 255-1001
Email: jst6@cornell.edu |
Hybrid Dynamical Systems
Description: Hybrid systems can be viewed as systems that allow interactions between discrete events and continuous dynamics. As such, they are natural models for complex interactive networks and systems such as manufacturing, power, communications, and transportation systems. For example, in the context of power systems, the large disturbance behavior of such systems is characterized by complex interactions between continuous dynamics and discrete events. Components such as generators and loads drive the continuous behavior, while other components such as tap-changing transformers, switched shunts, and protective devices exhibit event-driven behavior. A satisfactory theory for such systems, which draws from several disciplines including control theory, computer science, and applied mathematics, will have an enormous impact on the design, synthesis, and operations of many practical systems. Computational and algorithmic approaches to such problems, however, encounter considerable difficulties.
In addition to modeling and analysis of such systems, this minitrack, therefore, will explore novel computational paradigms that are able to accommodate uncertainties in the system at various levels.
Minitrack Chairs
Jagdish Chandra
Senior Research Scientist
School of Engineering and Applied Sciences
George Washington University
707 22nd St.
Washington DC 20052
Email: jchandra@seas.gwu.edu |
Markets/Economics
Description: The aim of this minitrack is to explore the ability of commercial trading models to effectively represent the complex physical behaviour of an electricity industry, an issue which is critical to the success of electricity industry restructuring. Important aspects of this issue include the design of efficient spot markets and ancillary service markets, and mechanisms to incorporate network effects in electricity trading models. Papers are invited that address these or other aspects of this problem.
Minitrack Chairs
Timothy Mount
Agricultural Res. & Mgrl. Economics
301 Warren Hall
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY 14853
Phone: 607-255-4801
Email: tdm2@cornell.edu |
Dr. Hugh Outhred
Associate Professor
University of New South Wales
4th Floor, Room 425
Elec. Engr. & Telecommunications
School of Faculty of Engineering
Sydney 2052
AUSTRALIA
Email: h.outhred@unsw.edu.au |