The Vulnerability of the Power Grid Structure: A System Analysis Based on Complex Network Theory.

Area of Science:

• Electrical Engineering
• Complex Systems Science
• Network Science

Background:

• Power grid safety is crucial for national security and economic stability.
• Extreme weather events pose significant threats to power grid infrastructure, leading to cascading failures.
• Traditional vulnerability models are insufficient for assessing extreme weather impacts on power grids.

Purpose of the Study:

• To improve traditional power structural vulnerability models for extreme weather scenarios.
• To propose a theoretical topological model for measuring extreme weather damage to power grids.
• To enhance the resilience and reliability of power grids against extreme events.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing complex network knowledge to construct a power grid topology model.
• Simulating extreme cases and three attack modes.
• Designing an algorithm based on power grid topology parameters and cascading failure propagation mechanisms.
• Applying the method to IEEE-30 and IEEE-118 node bus systems.

Main Results:

• The proposed structural vulnerability method effectively addresses unbalanced load cascading failures under extreme conditions.
• The theoretical topological model provides a means to measure damage caused by extreme weather events.
• The study demonstrates improved power grid reliability through the proposed approach.

Conclusions:

• The developed topological model and vulnerability assessment method offer a theoretical reference for mitigating extreme weather impacts on power grids.
• The research contributes to enhancing power grid resilience and preventing widespread disruptions.
• The findings support proactive strategies for safeguarding critical power infrastructure.