Meghna Mistri: Electric Harmony: Coupled Oscillators and Power Grids

<p dir="ltr">Networks of coupled oscillators are used to describe the dynamics of many real-life complex systems, including power grids. Networks like these undergo mutual synchronisation, where the oscillators lock onto a common frequency. Loss of this synchrony in a power grid can lead to cascading failures, and consequently, blackouts — as seen in the blackout in Turkey in 2015. The study of networks of coupled oscillators (here, using the Kuramoto model) can lead to a better understanding and prediction of failures in power grids, and the prevention of blackouts.</p>