1
A Survey on the Applications of Petri Net
Theory in Power Systems
Zhenzhi Lin, Fushuan Wen, C.Y. Chung, Member, IEEE and K.P. Wong, Fellow, IEEE
Abstract—Petri net (PN) is a modeling tool for describing and
analyzing discrete-event dynamic systems, and could find
applications in many areas such as computer systems,
manufacturing systems and power systems. Since 1992, PN has
been applied to power systems and paid much attention. So far,
many papers associated with PN applications in power systems
have been published with many specific areas involved, such as
fault diagnosis, power system restoration, distribution network
reconfiguration, unit commitment, power network topology
analysis, reliability analysis, protective relay modeling and
hybrid power systems. In this paper, an effort is made to have a
concise and systematic survey on the applications of PN in power
systems.
Index Terms—Petri net, power systems, fault diagnosis, power
system restoration, hybrid power system
I. INTRODUCTION
T he modern power system is a multi-dimensional dynamic
system. It is not always possible to build accurate
mathematic models for many problems encountered in power
systems, or in other words, these problems cannot be well
solved by only using available mathematical methods. As a
result, various artificial-intelligence based techniques, such as
expert systems, fuzzy set theory, artificial neural networks,
genetic algorithms and PNs, have been widely applied to solve
some problems in power systems [1].
The PN was originally developed by Carl Adam Petri,
German, in his doctoral dissertation “Communication with
automata” in 1962. Then through the further research effort by
Peterson and Hack, PN became an asynchronous and
concurrent state transition model. PN was mainly developed
for describing logical relationships of discrete event dynamic
systems exhibiting various concurrent and sequential
activities. Hence, PN is an ideal tool for analyzing the
behaviors of many different systems such as computer
systems, manufacturing systems and power systems.
Initially, PN was applied to the parallel processing of
computer systems. With further research effort in many areas,
it has become a powerful tool for analyzing discrete event
*
This work was supported in part by the National Natural Science
Foundation of China (No. 50477029), Research Grant Council of Hong Kong
(No. PolyU 5214/03E) and Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
Zhenzhi Lin and Fushuan Wen are with the Department of Electrical
Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640,
China (e-mails: lin_zhenzhi@163.com; fushuan.wen@gmail.com).
C.Y. Chung and K.P. Wong are with the Department of Electrical
Engineering, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong (e-
mails: eecychun@polyu.edu.hk; eekpwong@polyu.edu.hk).
1-4244-0493-2/06/$20.00 ©2006 IEEE.
*
dynamic systems, and has found extensive applications in the
late 1980s. However, research work on the applications of PN
in power systems was just initiated in 1992. In the first
reported application of PN in power systems, two Indian
scholars, L. Jenkins and H.P. Khincha, proposed a PN based
power system modeling method in [2]. Since then, PN has
been widely applied to many specific areas in power systems,
including fault diagnosis, power system restoration,
distribution network reconfiguration, unit commitment, power
network topology analysis, reliability analysis, protective relay
modeling and hybrid power system.
In this paper, an effort is made to have a brief and
systematic survey on the applications of PN in power systems.
II. PN THEORY
A. Petri Net
A PN is not only a combined graphical model, but also an
object strictly defined in mathematics. PN could be used to
analyze static performances as well as dynamic behaviors. The
major research aim of a PN system is the organizational
structures and dynamic behaviors in a system. It focuses on
various changes that may happen in the system and their
relationships. It only concerns about the conditions and
consequent impacts on the results, but not their physical and
chemical properties.
A triple (S, T; F) is called a net, if and only if it satisfies
the following conditions:
(1) S∩T=Φ
(2) S∪T≠Φ
(3) F ⊆ (S×T)∪(T×S)
(4) dom(F)∪cod(F)=S∪T
with dom(F)={x| ∃ y: (x,y)∈F}, cod(F)={y| ∃ x: (x,y)∈F}
Where, S and T are finite nonempty sets of states and
transitions, respectively; F is the flow relationship between S
and T; “×” is the Cartesian product; dom(F) and cod(F),
respectively called the domain and codomain of F, could be
interpreted as the first and the last element of each individual
set of F [3].
A PN includes places, transitions, arcs and tokens. A
simple PN model is shown in Figure 1. In the figure, each
cycle “○” represents one place, P; the vertical line “│”
represents one transition, T; each arc “→” represents a flow
relationship, F; and each dot “•” in the place represents one
token.

P1 t P2
Fig. 1. A PN Model
The topological structure of a PN can be represented by a
incidence matrix, C, which is a s×t matrix defined by
⎧W (t , s )， iff (t,s) ∈ F
⎪ into account.
C ( s , t ) = ⎨ −W ( s , t )，iff (s,t) ∈ F (1)
⎪0，
⎩ otherwise
Where, W(s, t) is the weight of the arc from s to t, and (s, t)∈
F means that there exists a flow relationship from s to t.
Two vectors, M0 and M, which are used to describe the
initial and final marking states respectively, correspond to the
place set S, and the vector U corresponds to the transition set
T. Then the dynamic process of a system can be represented as
M=M0+C•U (2)
This means that, according to the logical relationship of C, M0
can be used to deduce M through firing transitions.
There are different ways of matrix representation and
operational reasoning for the PN model. For example, an
alternative method is described in [4].
B. Advanced PNs
If the basic PN model as described before is employed to
model a large-scale power system, the size of the PN model is
exponentially increased with that of the power system. Hence,
some simplifications are necessary. In addition to the
conventional simplifying measures such as layering and the
abstract synthesis of modules, replacing the basic PN by an
advanced one is also a choice.
To describe a system better, a basic PN could be extended
to an advanced PN, such as the predicate/transition net,
colored PN (CPN), object-oriented PN (OPN), fuzzy PN
(FPN), hybrid PN (HPN), PN with changeable structure (PN-
CS), timed PN (TPN), stochastic PN (SPN), generalized
stochastic PN (GSPN), timed CPN (TCPN), stochastic CPN
(SCPN) and timed OPN (TOPN). The detailed definitions and
modeling methods of these advanced PNs can be found in [5].
III. APPLICATIONS IN POWER SYSTEMS
A. Fault Diagnosis
1) Power System Fault Diagnosis
Power system fault diagnosis aims at identifying faulty
sections or components in a power system, by using
information on operations of protective relays and circuit
breakers.
In [6], PN was applied to solve the fault diagnosis problem
in power systems for the first time. In [6-9], a PN system,
which is a combination of a PN model for the fault clearance
process and a reverse PN model for fault diagnosis, was
proposed. The method is clear in physical concept, easy to
realize, and rapid in diagnosing faults. Particularly, the impact
on the PN model by the malfunctioning and operating
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uncertainties of protective relays and circuit breakers was
analyzed, and standard templates for identifying the
malfunctioning and uncertainties were developed. However,
only a main protective relay is considered for each device in
this model, and backup protective relays are not taken into
account. The PN-based fault diagnosis method is further
developed in [10-13], with back-up protective relays included.
A fault tree PN based fault diagnosis model was proposed in
[14], with the time characteristics of alarm information taken
An embedding PN, which combines the models proposed
in [6-9] with the coding theory, is used to solve the fault
diagnosis problem of a simple transmission line in [15,16].
This method is very fast and could be used for on-line fault
diagnosis, once the offline pre-processing work is done.
However, this method could not handle all possible fault
types. Based on the method developed in [15,16], some
improvements are made in [17,18]. Particularly, in [18] a fast
model revision algorithm was presented so as to adapt to
topological changes, and an on-line fault diagnosis scheme for
large-scale power system developed.
A fault diagnosis method based on PN and probability
information was presented in [19]. Uncertain and incomplete
information of protective relays and circuit breakers was
represented by using the probability method. A probability
was first assigned to the initial marking of the PN, and then
the fault diagnosis could be carried out. To improve the
method developed in [19], a FPN based modeling method was
developed in [20,21], and the fault diagnosing process is
mainly implemented by the fuzzy reasoning mechanism based
on certainty factors. As a result, more accurate diagnosis
results could be obtained.
A PN-based method for the fault section locating was
proposed in [22] which is adaptable to any topology
structures. Furthermore this method, which combined the
redundant correcting technique with the PN, could overcome
the PN limitation, and enhance the fault tolerant performance
and the accuracy of the fault section locating.
2) Substation Fault Diagnosis
Substations in power systems are liable to expose to
disturbances or faults, so it is important to diagnose faults
quickly and accurately. The purpose of the fault diagnosis in
substations is to find out where the fault is, such as faults in
feeders, transformers and bus-bars [23].
In [24], PN was used to diagnose faults in substations. In
the developed fault diagnosis model, both primary protective
relays and backup protective relays are taken into account, and
the impacts of the malfunctioning and operating uncertainties
of protections and circuit breakers are analyzed. Another PN
based fault diagnosis method with object-oriented technology
embedded was proposed in [4], and the mathematic model
developed was novel. Based on the object-oriented
technology, the PN model was divided into four classes, i.e.,
respectively for buses, feeders, transformers and transmission
lines. Hence, the dimension of each class was relatively small,
and hence the computation could be speeded. A method for

solving the error adjoint matrix using the PN and the coding
theory was proposed in [25,26], which could improve the
diagnosis accuracy. A method combining the PN and the
combination optimization of fault-masses was proposed in
[23,27]. The PN model was established based on the
protection schemes and the operation modes of the substation,
and all pairs of fault-masses and symptom-masses could then
be obtained. Hence the problem was transformed into the one
of searching the combination of the pairs that leads to the
known symptoms. Then fault components, error signals and
the malfunctioning of protective relays and circuit breakers
were identified by using an optimization approach. This
method could be used to diagnose complicated faults, and the
uncertainties could be taken into account. In [28], the
multizone property of protection schemes was expressed with
different weights in transition vectors, and different templates
from [24] are developed to identify the malfunctioning and
operating uncertainties of protection devices. The weights
have to be reset when the system operation mode is changed.
3) Equipment Fault Diagnosis
In power systems, there are several kinds of power
equipment, such as transformers, generators, motors, power
cables and circuit breakers. So far, the applications of PN to
equipment fault diagnosis are mainly focused on transformers
and motors.
Power transformers are one of the most important kinds of
equipment in power systems. The failure rate of a large-scale
transformer is about 0.085 time per year [29]. Surely, it is
important to the secure operation of a power system if
transformer faults could be diagnosed quickly and accurately.
A method for the graphical knowledge representation and
reasoning of an expert system based on the PN was proposed
in [30], and the PN could be applied to diagnose faults in
transformers. The proposed model was easy to extend and its
knowledge base was easy to maintain. A method to describe a
fuzzy heuristic rule based system using the FPN in an expert
system was proposed in [29,31]. With the advantages of the
rule-based system, this method was helpful to overcome many
drawbacks, such as the difficulty in acquiring knowledge in an
expert system and the inefficiency in searching matches. A
method based on the rough set theory and the FPN was
proposed in [32]. This method selected out a minimal set of
diagnostic rules from past fault cases so as to simplify the
information tables of rough sets, and hence an optimal FPN
model was established. This method could greatly decrease
the searching steps of the knowledge base, enhance the speed
and improve the efficiency of fault diagnosis.
The main objective of fault diagnosis for motors is to find
the early symptom and tendency parameters, which could
reflect incipient faults to a certain degree, and to obtain the
pre-alarming information. Then through further analysis, the
degree and causes of motors’ faults could be identified, and
motors could be repaired and cleared from faults effectively
and timely. A method for diagnosing motors’ faults using the
PN was proposed in [33]. Compared with artificial
intelligence based methods, this method was simple, easy to
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understand, fast and accurate.
B. Power System Restoration
1) Transmission System Restoration
The problem of restoration after service interruption is a
complex decision and control problem for the system operator.
The problem may be viewed conceptually as a multi-
objective, multi-stage, combinatorial, nonlinear constrained
optimization problem. The objective of restorative control is
the speedy restoration of all customer service, which involves
the minimization of restoration time and the maximization of
customer load restoration at each stage. With the continuous
increase of generation installed capacities in large-scale power
systems and more enhanced system interconnections, the
complexity of system operation, management and
maintenance as well as the risk to wide area outages increase.
The experience gained from several power outages even
blackout suggests that with a predetermined restoration plan
and dispatch strategies the system restoration procedure could
be significantly speeded. Consequently, a sophisticated
restoration plan is indispensable to shorten the restoration time
and reduce the economic loss caused by system outages [34].
A PN based algorithm for scheduling a generic restoration
actions (GRAs) in the restoration process was proposed in
[34,35]. The operators’ experience, the objective of every
restoration stage and the estimated time required for each
operating measure were considered. The process could be
done in parallel and conflicts could be dealt with flexibly, and
hence lead to an accurate and clear restoration plan. However,
it was difficult to describe and analyze complicated faults in
this methodological framework. In [36], a method based on
the hierarchical time-extended PN was proposed, and the
logical inference process is efficient. A method based on the
OPN was proposed in [37], compared with the basic PN
model the dimension in the OPN is smaller. An optimal
strategy to eliminate conflicts was introduced, ensuring that an
optimal plan could be obtained with limited resources, and the
deadlock could be solved by using a recall strategy.
2) Distribution System Service Restoration
Distribution system service restoration is a multiple-
objective, multiple period and combinational optimization
problem. It is complicated, constrained and nonlinear, and the
obtained solutions are a series of switching combinations. Its
main aim is to restore the outage loads in faulty sections
through network reconfiguration while respecting security
constraints.
A PN algorithm together with a corresponding PN
reasoning model for distribution system service restoration
was proposed in [38]. This method could work well for
service restoration after complicated faults. An improved
method based on the combination of the CPN and a rule-based
expert system was proposed in [39]. Compared with the
method developed in [38], this method could reduce the
numbers of place nodes, transition nodes and direction arcs
significantly, and hence required less computing time and
computer memory.
A PN based method for on-line substation service

restoration was proposed in [40], and it could promptly
implement the service restoration. However, the transformer
restoration module was too simple and did not comply with
the optimal strategy when the supply reliability and multiple-
objectives are considered. A method based on the PN and the
well-known genetic algorithm was proposed in [41]. The
model is simple and the global optimal solution could be
obtained.
C. Distribution Network Reconfiguration
Generally, a distribution network is of a ring structure but
operated with an open loop. Its reconfiguration refers to
changing the network structure through switching so as to
meet the load demands in a radical structure. Reconfiguration
could reduce the network loss and improve the power quality
and reliability when a balance between the supplies and the
demands are maintained and voltage constraints are respected
[42]. It is a complicated, nonlinear, multiple objective and
combinational optimization problem, and may encounter the
well-known combinatory explosion problem in large-scale
distribution systems.
A PN method for distribution network reconfiguration was
proposed in [43]. With respect to different daily load patterns
of customers, optimal switching operations were obtained by
using the PN algorithm and the best-first search approach. On
the basis of the above method, a method based on the CPN
was proposed in [42,44,45]. Compared with the method
developed in [43], the numbers of place nodes, transition
nodes and arcs could be reduced significantly, and this
speeded the computation. On the basis of the above study, a
load balance index for feeders and transformers was
introduced in [46], and the relationship between the changes
of loads and temperatures was included in [47,48]. The
sensitivity of power consumption with respect to temperature
was analyzed, and then based on the load curves the
distribution system was reconfigured to reach an optimal load
balance.
D. Unit Commitment
The purpose of power system economic operation is to
maximize the operating economy with power quality and
security constraints respected. Economic operation is one of
the most complex issues in power systems. It is difficult to
solve the problem as a whole, and instead the problem could
be divided into several sub-problems such as unit commitment
and economic dispatching of power plants. Unit commitment
is a combinatorial optimization problem and is very difficult
to solve for large scale power systems [49].
Because the well-known dynamic planning approach could
not get ride of the dilemma between dealing with time
constraints and reducing computing states, a method based on
the controlled timed PN was introduced to deal with the time
constraints in [50,51] in the unit commitment problem. It
could not only decrease the cold or hot start costs and meet the
unit minimum startup and shutdown time constraints, but also
reduce computing states so as to greatly improve the
computational efficiency. A model using the controlled
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colored PN (CCPN) to solve the time constraint problems in
hydropower unit commitments was proposed in [52,53]. The
hydro units’ startup and shutdown states were represented
straightforwardly. In [54], the CCPN model was modified, and
a compound controlled CPN method proposed which lead to a
good solution to the problem.
E. Power Network Topology Analysis
Power network topology analysis is to deal with the real-
time changes of switch states, and to transfer a node model
describing the primary network connection into a bus model
for computation. It is divided into two steps. The first is the
node topology analysis of power plants and substations, and
the task is to determine the number of nodes to which
components are connected by closed switches. The second is
the network topology analysis of the system, and the task is to
determine the number of subsystems in which nodes are
connected by branches. If the nodes, subsystems and branches
in the network topology analysis are regarded as the
components, nodes and closed switches in the node topology
analysis respectively, these two steps are completely the same
mathematically [55].
A PN-based method for the network topology analysis was
proposed in [56-58]. Compared with the conventional method
based on the stack technology, this method avoided the
repetition of searches, and hence improved the efficiency.
However, when it was used to analyze bus-bars, initial
markings should be reassigned and the PN algorithm must be
reset so as to compute all the buses in a new switch state if the
switch states changed. In fact, not all buses changed with the
switch states, so it was unnecessary to rerun from the
beginning. Therefore, the PN algorithm was modified in [55].
Only the buses affected by a new switch state were computed
again, so the computation efficiency was further improved.
F. Reliability
1) Power System Reliability
Power system reliability consists of adequacy and security,
and represents the ability to supply power continuously with
acceptable power quality [59].
A reliability model of a distribution system based on the
SPN was proposed in [60]. Compared with the Markov chain
model, it did not have some limitations, such as the state-space
explosion and the constant-transition-rate assumption. A
method based on the logical explicit SPN (LESPN) was
proposed in [61,62]. The method combined the CPN with
logical subnets extracted from the GSPN model, and could
reduce the states and hence speed the computation. In
addition, with respect to various primary electric connections,
different models were proposed and their reliability compared.
2) Power Equipment Reliability
Power equipment reliability is a calibration of the ability
for equipment or products to perform specified functions with
scheduled condition and time. It synthetically reflects an
equipment’s durability, dependability, maintainability,
availability, economy and so on [59].
A PN-based stochastic model for reliability maintenance

was proposed in [63]. Various constraints influencing
reliability maintenance are taken into account, and
maintenance measures and constraints could be modeled
simultaneously. A method for maintenance management based
on the workflow technique was proposed in [64]. Based on the
task-based modeling concept, the PN-based expanded
place/transition system was represented as a workflow model,
and the maintenance management was implemented
automatically.
G. Protective Relay Modeling
Protective relays play an extremely important role in
maintaining the security and stability of power systems. Many
events could lead to outages, of which 70 percent are related
to the hidden failures of protective relay systems. If a fault
occurs in a vulnerable area of the protective relay system, the
protective relay may malfunction, and this may lead to
cascade protective relay tripping and hence wide area outages.
Therefore, it is important to study the modeling method for
protective relays in power system analysis [65].
A PN-based method for protective relay modeling was first
proposed in [2]. The principles and modeling method of the
marked PN, timed PN, TPN and SPN were proposed, and the
performance of these methods was evaluated respectively.
Based on the above method, a PN-based method for modeling
the line protective relay was proposed in [66]. Three kinds of
protective relays and auto-reclosing are included, and the
model’s dynamic behaviors were analyzed using a reachable
tree. As to the hybrid dynamic characteristics of protective
relays, a systematic method based on the programmable timed
PN (PTPN) was proposed in [65]. The coordination between
the auto-reclosing and the protective relays was considered
and the dynamic effects caused by the protective relays
analyzed with the model. According to the operation features
of protection elements in dispatcher training simulator (DTS),
an extended time PN (ETPN) based method for simulation
was proposed in [67]. It was simple and effective, and could
facilitate the development of the simulator.
H. Hybrid Power System
A power system is a typical hybrid dynamic system,
because continuous and discrete event dynamic behaviors and
their mutual actions are common characteristics. Generators
and their controllers generally obey physical laws and have
continuous dynamic behaviors, and could be described by
differential and algebraic equations. Other equipment, such as
transformers with on-load tap-changer (OLTC), flexible AC
transmission systems (FACTS) and protection devices,
exhibits discrete event dynamic behaviors. The discrete
behaviors are usually based on logic rules and depend upon
the continuous ones. The power network topology structure
and the operational mode often changes with some discrete
events, which may lead to instability or system separation.
Specially, the interaction of these behaviors makes the power
system become a nonlinear and multiple hybrid dynamic
system in emergency. The conventional system theory based
method is difficult to model and analyze these complicated
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behaviors [68].
A method to model and analyze hybrid control systems in
power systems using the timed differential PN was proposed
in [69-71]. A model for the frequency emergency control in a
hybrid power system and its optimal control strategies were
presented in [69], while a model for voltage emergency
control together with a control model for coordinating the
frequency and voltage emergency control were presented in
[70]. The strategies had better adaptability than the
conventional optimal control strategies. A model for a one-
machine-infinite-bus system was presented in [71]. However,
using the timed differential PN to model a bulk power system
may lead to the well-known state-space explosion. Hence, in
[68,72,73,74], a PTPN-based method to model a hybrid power
system was proposed, and a model of transformers with
OLTC was also presented, and the switching stability was
analyzed by using multiple Lyapunov functions. Switching
dynamic characteristics would change if loads and system
parameters changed, and this was analyzed in [68,72,73]. The
dynamic characteristics of bus-bar voltages were analyzed in
[74] for the situation with a faults occurring in lines. In [75],
the PN based protection model and the timed differential PN
for transformers with OLTC were used to model and analyze
the hybrid power system.
IV. CONCLUSION
The PN is a very effective modeling tool for describing and
analyzing discrete event dynamic systems. In this paper, the
fundamentals of the PN and the start-of-the-art of its
applications in different subjects of power systems are briefly
introduced.
From this review, it is clear that much research work has
been done on the applications of the PN in solving many
power system problems. However, most of the research work
in this area is based on very small sample systems, and is
hence very preliminary. Particularly, up to now no practical
applications have been reported.
Applications of the PN to solve problems in large scale
power systems, and investigations on the application
potentials of some advanced PNs in power systems are
interesting topics for future research.
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VI. BIOGRAPHIES
Zhenzhi Lin received his BE degree in electrical engineering from Hefei
University of Technology, China, in 2002, and is now pursuing his Ph.D. in
South China University of Technology. His main research interest is power
system restoration.
Fushuan Wen received his BE and ME degrees from Tianjin University,
China, in 1985 and 1988, respectively, and PhD from Zhejiang University,
China, in 1991, all in electrical engineering. He joined the faculty of Zhejiang
Unversity, China, in 1991, and had been full professor there from 1997 to
2003. Since 2004, he has been a University Distinguished Professor in South
China University of Technology. His current research interests are in power
industry restructuring, power system fault diagnosis and restoration strategies,
as well as artificial intelligence applications in power systems.
C.Y. Chung (M'01) received the B.Eng. degree (with First Class Honors) and
the Ph.D. degree in electrical engineering from The Hong Kong Polytechnic
University, Hong Kong, China. After his Ph.D. graduation, he worked in the
Electrical Engineering Department at the University of Alberta, Edmonton,
AB, Canada, and Powertech Labs, Inc., Surrey, BC, Canada. Currently, he is
an Assistant Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering, The Hong
Kong Polytechnic University. His research interests include power system
stability/control, computational intelligence applications and power markets.
K.P. Wong (M'87, SM'90, F'02) He obtained M.Sc and Ph.D. degrees from
the University of Manchester, Institute of Science and Technology, in 1972
and 1974 and in 2001, he obtained the higher doctorate DEng degree from the
same university. Prof. Wong was with The University of Western Australia
since 1974. He is currently Chair Professor and Head of Department of
Electrical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Prof. Wong
received three Sir John Madsen Medals (1981, 1982 and 1988) from the
Institution of Engineers Australia, the 1999 Outstanding Engineer Award from
IEEE Power Chapter Western Australia and the 2000 IEEE Third Millennium
Award. He has published numerous research papers in power systems and in
the applications of artificial intelligence and evolutionary computation to
power system planning and operations. His current research interests include
evolutionary optimization in power, power market analysis, power system
planning and operation in deregulated environment, power quality. He is a
Fellow of IEEE, IEE, HKIE and IEAust.