A perspective overview of topological approaches for vulnerability analysis of power transmission grids. (10th February 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bompard, Ettore; Luo, Lingen; Pons, Enrico
• Is Part Of: International journal of critical infrastructures. Volume 11:Number 1(2015)
• Page Start: 15
• Page End: 26
• Publication Date: 2015-02-10
• Subjects: power transmission -- power grids -- structural vulnerability analysis -- topological approach -- net–ability -- electrical betweenness -- entropy degree -- critical infrastructures -- complex network analysis -- flow path -- line flow limits; Infrastructure (Economics) -- Security measures -- Periodicals; Risk assessment -- Periodicals; Emergency management -- Periodicals; 363.05
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1475-3219

Abstract

Vulnerability analysis is a key issue in power systems since power transmission grids play a crucial role as a critical infrastructure. The power grid structure (number of nodes and lines, their connections, and their physical properties and operational constraints) is one of the main factors to assure power system security. Complex network theory as a promising topological approach for the structural vulnerability analysis has been widely used in many different fields. Recently, many complex network metrics have been proposed to assess the topological vulnerability of power transmission grids. However, these approaches are purely topological and fail in capturing the specific features of power systems. In this paper, an extended topological approach which incorporates electrical features such as flow path, line flow limits, etc., is presented. Three new metrics, net–ability, electrical betweenness and entropy degree are provided and used to assess structural vulnerability in power transmission grids.