Temporal Motifs in Smart Grid

Abstract: A complex network can be characterized by patterns. Such frequently occurring significant patterns are called motifs and in a time dependent network, they are called temporal motifs. One of the temporal networks where temporal motifs are observed and play a major role; is the Smart Grid. The energy consumption pattern across the appliances, houses, communities and entire cities help energy utility companies and consumers plan their electricity generation and consumption. The temporal motifs for the smart grid constitutes of the consumers and producers and the edge or connection represents energy flow between two participants of the network, these connections last till the power is being consumed/generated. This paper formally defines the temporal motifs for smart grid network and proposes a way to create such temporal motifs in the network. We also discuss how the temporal motifs fit into the hierarchical structure of power distribution system of Smart Grid.