Optimal Load Shedding for Mitigation of Cascading Failures in Power Grids

We use a deterministic cascade propagation model based on thermal overloading limits on the transmission lines to achieve a load shedding protection mechanism to mitigate cascading failures. Departing from the linearized DC-power flow based models, we adopt a more faithful AC-power flow model to compute the line flows. For AC power flow, we adopt the branch flow model, taking inspiration from the recent optimal power flow formulations, and use tools from convex optimization to solve the optimal load shedding problem. The results are demonstrated using a IEEE 14-bus test system in a Digital Real-Time Simulator (DRTS) environment.