Study on scale-free characteristic on propagation of cascading failures in power grid

Based on the complex network theory, this paper first explores the node heterogeneity of scale-free network. Then the failure spreading mechanism in the scale-free power grid is analyzed and multiple failure modes and indices are put forward. The network topological studies and cascading failure simulation results clarify that the most prime cause of severe failure spreading in the real grid. Above all, a method of improving and preventing massive cascading failure is proposed in this paper.