9319352 Michel We propose to investigate the applicability of robust control theoretic results in the qualitative analysis of power systems. Thus far, only a few isolated applications of robust control theoretic results to power systems have appeared in the literature. The proposed work consists of two principal areas of inquiry: (a) modeling of power systems, and (b) robust stability properties of an equilibrium of a power system. We will develop models for contemporary power systems which include some of the latest devices and some of the most current technologies (e.g., flexible 'AC transmission systems (FACTS), static VAR compensators (SVC), and so forth). This research will build on previous NSF supported work by the principal investigators. The second part of the proposed work consists of two segments. In the first segment we intend to conduct robust stability analysis investigations of linear models of power systems in the state space. Among other areas, results of this kind are important in synthesis procedures (such as stabilizer design). Our approach will rely on Hurwitz stability investigations of interval matrices which arise in the modeling of power systems subjected to parameter perturbations. In the second segment we extend that above proposed work to nonlinear models of power systems in a state space setting. The work proposed above (in both segments) will rely on stability results developed by the principal investigators and their co- workers with prior NSF support. ***
