A hidden failure embedded DC model of power transmission systems has been developed to study the power law distributions observed in North American blackout data. We investigate the impacts of several model parameters on the global dynamics and evaluate possible mitigation measures. The main parameters include system loading level, hidden failure probability, spinning reserve capacity and control strategy. The sensitivity of power-law behavior with respect to each of these four parameters and

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... e corresponding blackout mitigation are discussed and illustrated via simulation results from the WSCC 179-bus equivalent system and the IEEE 118-bus test system. It is our intention that this study can provide guidance on when and how the suggested mitigation methods might be effective. q