Infrastructure and Complex Systems Automation

The set of traditional characteristic features of large-scale complex systems (LSS) included the large number of variables, structure of interconnected subsystems, and other features that complicate the control models, such as nonlinearities, time delays, and uncertainties. The advances in information and communication technologies (ICT) and the modern business models have led to important evolution in the concepts and the corresponding management and control infrastructures of large-scale complex systems. The last three decades have highlighted several new characteristic features, such as networked structure, enhanced geographical distribution associated with the increased cooperation of subsystems, evolutionary development, higher risk sensitivity, presence of more, possibly conflicting, objectives, and security and environment concerns. This chapter aims to present a balanced review of several traditional well-established methods (such as multilevel and decentralized control) and modern control solutions (such as cooperative and networked control) for LSS together with the technology development and new application domains, such as smart city with heating and water distribution systems, and environmental monitoring and protection. A particular attention is paid to automation infrastructures and associated enabling technologies together with security aspects.