In future smart grids, the distribution of consumer demands shall be controlled as to efficiently match electric power production. Such control requires a through understanding of how the grid self-organizes its collective dynamics in the absence of control. We are now providing a new perpective using mathematical oscillator models of power grids.

One main conclusion: adding new connection lines may not only help but also prevent power grid synchrony and thus cause power outage.

Article in the Max Planck Reseach Magazine (German, 8.5MB)

Editors Suggestion at Physical Review Letters,

prl.aps.org/abstract/PRL/v109/i6/e064101

highlighted in Physics

http://physics.aps.org/synopsis-for/10.1103/PhysRevLett.109.064101

second article at New Journal of Physics on Braess' paradox

http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/1367-2630/14/8/083036

Dirk Witthaut and Marc Timme

Network Dynamics Group