Reliable power grids today and in future

Electricity supply systems are today a topic of public discussion. Since the introduction of alternating current, based on a patent by Tesla, this form of energy production and transmission has developed into one of the most important supply systems of modern society. Electricity networks are one of society's critical infrastructures, others being the transport sector and the telecommunications infrastructure. Any disturbance of one of these infrastructures can result in enormous damage to the economy. To live a week or only day without electricity is something almost beyond imagination. For this reason the security of electricity supply systems is of fundamental importance