Formal Verification of Protection Functions for Power Distribution Networks

This paper presents initial results on formal verification of protection functions in a smart power distribution grid. Informal properties of the smart grid were formalized in the language of LTL and formal verification is performed using NuSMV model checker on the closed-loop plant-control model which consists of IEC 61499-based control logic and an abstract plant model of distribution grid with fault scenario. The paper presents the results of verification of dependability, liveliness, safety and security properties. The results show the effectiveness of the closed-loop formal verification methodology.