Modeling and Simulation of Complex Interdependent Systems: A Federated Agent-Based Approach

Critical Interdependent Infrastructures are complex interdependent systems, that if damaged or disrupted can seriously compromise the welfare of our society. This research, part of the CRESCO project, faces the problem of interdependent critical infrastructures modeling and simulation proposing an agent-based solution. The approach we put forward, named Federated ABMS, relies on discrete agent-based modeling and simulation and federated simulation. Federated ABMS provides a formalism to model compound complex systems, composed of interacting systems, as federation of interacting agents and sector specific simulation models. This paper describes the formal model as well it outlines the steps that characterize the Federated ABMS methodology, here applied to a target system, composed of a communication network and of a power grid. Moreover we conclude the paper with a thorough discussion of implementation issues.