Symmetry and Asymmetry: Shaping the Future of Power Grids

Dear Colleagues,

Asymmetry plays a critical role in the static and dynamic behavior of power systems and may impact grid stability, resilience, and robustness, thereby degrading the efficiency of interconnected networks. Asymmetries, or disparities in various aspects of the structure and operation of the grid, can lead to phase imbalances, voltage sags, frequency deviations, and widespread asymmetrical effects arising from faults and disturbances, as well as mismatches between supply and demand, especially in the case of distributed generation. Furthermore, asymmetry can facilitate the presence of double fundamental frequency currents and voltages in generators and power electronic converters, as well as resonance conditions, among other issues.

From a spatial (and temporal) perspective, symmetry can enhance the grid's stability by promoting predictable dynamics and facilitating stable synchronization. Simultaneously, asymmetries can introduce complex patterns and dynamics, influencing asymmetrical exchanges of energy that are challenging to predict and understand. Understanding the interplay between symmetry and asymmetry involves exploring how imbalances, as well as spatial and temporal asymmetries, may affect the propagation of disturbances, increase dynamical complexity, and impact the robustness and vulnerability of complex power grids, thereby making the network more susceptible to failures and attacks.

This Special Issue provides a crucial overview of the current research on symmetry and asymmetry in power grids. It aims to explore new methodologies involving theoretical and innovative developments for studying and characterizing the effects of symmetry and asymmetry on power system operation, protection, and control.

Topics of particular interest, which highlight the need for further research, include the following:

• Assessing risks associated with the propagation of disturbances in imbalanced grids;
• Evaluating the impact of asymmetry on modern power electronic-based converters and HVDC links;
• Exploring factors affecting the robustness and vulnerability arising from imbalances within the power grid;
• Characterizing the emergence of complex patterns and oscillations in power grids with spatial and temporal asymmetries;
• Enhancing analytical techniques to analyze and characterize the emergence of complex system behavior;
• Pioneering technological advances to enhance asymmetry detection, opening new avenues for innovation and advancement in the field;
• Integrating distributed energy resources to mitigate asymmetry in generation and demand patterns.

Designing resilient grid infrastructure to enhance the grid's ability to withstand and recover from asymmetry-related events, thereby ensuring a more stable and reliable power supply.

Prof. Dr. Arturo R. Messina
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Symmetry is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• controllability and observability
• grid stability
• power grids
• power system dynamics
• symmetry/asymmetry
• re-silient grid infrastructure
• risk assessment
• robustness