Enhancing the Power System Resilience to Ice Storms

This paper proposes an improved resilience enhancement plan (REP) for power distribution and transmission networks against ice storms that would de-ice the ice-covered lines in a timely manner and maintain the infrastructure reliability and security. REP is a comprehensive solution which is adaptable for both transmission and distribution networks as each encounters its own unique constraints during ice storms. Depending on the voltage level, the REP for power transmission lines includes fixed DC de-icing devices (FDID) and mobile DC de-icing devices (MDID). The power distribution REP presents the optimal coordination of power system schedules with the preposition and routing of mobile DC de-icing vehicles (MDIV) and portable DC de-icing devices (PDID) to reduce ice related outages. The proposed REP framework coordinates de-icing schedule (DIS), power system flows on congested lines, and transportation flows on congested roads to maximize the power system resilience in an ice storm.