Wide-area multiple line-outages detection in power complex networks

•A novel multiple line outage detection method using adaptive observers is proposed for the power grid based on complex network theory.•The assumption of methods using dc power flow model can be relaxed by our method, i.e. the quasi-stable is no longer needed and the detection with islands can be ​dealt with.•The information transfer delay is taken into consideration, which is more reality in practical.

Multiple line outages (MLOs) are common in blackouts, the detection of MLOs are very important for the robusty and securety of power grid. Many insightful methods have been reported to handle with line outage detection, but few of them focus on the detection of MLOs that happen in a short period of time. To deal with this promblem, based on the complex network theory, some novel algorithms are developed by using phasor measurement units (PMUs) information. By invoking virtual adaptive observers, the presented algorithms monitor the connectivity status between buses, which make the algorithms tolerant to the interaction effects between the multiple line outages. Besides, the proposed algorithms also address the reconstruction of the real-time adjacency matrix of the power transmission networks. Simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the presented algorithms.