Bifurcation Theory Applied to the Analysis of Power Systems

In this paper, several nonlinear phenomena found in the study of power system networks are described in the context of bifurcation theory. Toward this end, a widely studied 3-bus power system model is considered. The mechanisms leading to static and dynamic bifurcations of equilibria as well as a cascade of period doubling bifurcations of periodic orbits are investigated. It is shown that the cascade verifies the Feigenbaum’s universal theory. Finally, a two parameter bifurcation analysis reveals the presence of a Bogdanov-Takens codimension-two bifurcation acting as an organizing center for the dynamics. In addition, evidence on the existence of a complex global phenomena involving homoclinic orbits and a period doubling cascade is included.