A Markov Decision Process Framework for Enhancing Power System Resilience during Wildfires under Decision-Dependent Uncertainty

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Authors: Zhao, Xinyi, Raut, Prasanna, Zhao, Chaoyue, Moreira, Alexandre
Format: Preprint
Published: 2026
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author Zhao, Xinyi
Raut, Prasanna
Zhao, Chaoyue
Moreira, Alexandre
author_facet Zhao, Xinyi
Raut, Prasanna
Zhao, Chaoyue
Moreira, Alexandre
contents Wildfires pose an increasing threat to the safety and reliability of power systems, particularly in distribution networks located in fire-prone regions. To mitigate ignition risk from electrical infrastructure, utilities often employ safety power shutoffs, which proactively de-energize high-risk lines during hazardous weather and restore them once conditions improve. While this strategy can result in temporary load loss, it helps prevent equipment damage and wildfire ignition development in the system. In this paper, we develop a state-based decision-making framework to optimize such switching actions over time, with the goal of minimizing total operational costs throughout a wildfire event. The model represents network topologies as Markov states, with transitions influenced by both exogenous weather conditions and endogenous power flow dynamics. To address the computational challenges posed by the large state and action spaces, we propose an approximate dynamic programming algorithm based on post-decision states. The effectiveness and scalability of the proposed approach are demonstrated through case studies on 54-bus and 138-bus distribution systems, showcasing its potential for enhancing wildfire resilience across different grid configurations.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2604_06692
institution arXiv
publishDate 2026
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle A Markov Decision Process Framework for Enhancing Power System Resilience during Wildfires under Decision-Dependent Uncertainty
Zhao, Xinyi
Raut, Prasanna
Zhao, Chaoyue
Moreira, Alexandre
Systems and Control
Optimization and Control
Wildfires pose an increasing threat to the safety and reliability of power systems, particularly in distribution networks located in fire-prone regions. To mitigate ignition risk from electrical infrastructure, utilities often employ safety power shutoffs, which proactively de-energize high-risk lines during hazardous weather and restore them once conditions improve. While this strategy can result in temporary load loss, it helps prevent equipment damage and wildfire ignition development in the system. In this paper, we develop a state-based decision-making framework to optimize such switching actions over time, with the goal of minimizing total operational costs throughout a wildfire event. The model represents network topologies as Markov states, with transitions influenced by both exogenous weather conditions and endogenous power flow dynamics. To address the computational challenges posed by the large state and action spaces, we propose an approximate dynamic programming algorithm based on post-decision states. The effectiveness and scalability of the proposed approach are demonstrated through case studies on 54-bus and 138-bus distribution systems, showcasing its potential for enhancing wildfire resilience across different grid configurations.
title A Markov Decision Process Framework for Enhancing Power System Resilience during Wildfires under Decision-Dependent Uncertainty
topic Systems and Control
Optimization and Control
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2604.06692