Power Grids - Network Topology & Governance

Explore the complex world of power grids in this illuminating lecture by Seth Blumsack, delving into network topology, governance, and the intricate systems that keep our modern world electrified. Gain insights into the physical infrastructure and regulatory intricacies of regional power grids, understanding how tiny failures can lead to cascading crises and how collaborators make crucial decisions on electricity pricing and distribution. Discover the organic growth of power grid networks, their sociotechnical nature, and the challenges in maintaining their stability. Learn about the role of regional transmission organizations, stakeholder dynamics, and the weighted voting systems that influence energy policy. Examine the parallels between power grid governance and other complex systems, such as autonomous vehicles, and consider the broader implications for society's critical infrastructure.

Introduction
Welcome
Seths Creation Myth
California Electricity Market
Electricity Traders
California Electricity Disaster
Seths Job
Watching it Happen
Working at Enron
Moving to Pittsburgh
Enron
smartest guys in the room
what drew you into being a scientist
what got you into science
grid structure
network topology
physical topology
creation myth
natural resources
interconnectedness
connections
sociotechnical systems
power grid behavior
judgments of people
design criteria
social power
multilayered structure
cascading failures
topology and failure
critical slowing down
dynamic system
Arcane world
Regional transmission organizations
Collective decision making
Stakeholders
Study of Stakeholders
Weighted Voting System
Consumer Interests
The Electoral College
Who Votes
Meta Issues
Autonomous Vehicles
Choose Your Own Adventure