An Internet Inspired Approach to Power Grid Stability

The German power grid is facing the disruptive challenge to integrate massively decentral infeed of renewable electric power. It is commonly agreed that information technology can help in managing this problem, mainly by tailoring communication protocols and interfaces, as well as data warehousing and information retrieval approaches to this problem domain. This paper advocates a radically different approach. We draw strong analogies between the operation of the Internet and the operation of a future power grid, and from that derive principles that inspire the design of a new generation of distributed and decentralised power grid control appliances. We report on some prototypical controller designs for photovoltaic generators, and contrast their reliable operation with critical shortcomings of controllers installed on hundreds of thousands of German rooftops to date.