Suppressing cascades of load in interdependent networks

Understanding how interdependence among systems affects cascading behaviors is increasingly important across many fields of science and engineering. Inspired by cascades of load shedding in coupled electric grids and other infrastructure, we study the Bak-Tang-Wiesenfeld sandpile model on modular random graphs and on graphs based on actual, interdependent power grids. Starting from two isolated networks, adding some connectivity between them is beneficial, for it suppresses the largest cascades in each system. Too much interconnectivity, however, becomes detrimental for two reasons. First, interconnections open pathways for neighboring networks to inflict large cascades. Second, as in real infrastructure, new…

• NS
  National Science Foundation

  Award: W911NF-09-2-0053
• UD
  U.S. Department of Defense
• DT
  Defense Threat Reduction Agency

  Awards: HDTRA1-10-1-0088, HDTRA1
• ND
  National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate
• DO
  Division of Mathematical Sciences
• AR
  Army Research Laboratory

  Awards: W911NF, W911NF-09-2-0053