Power grids vulnerability: a complex network approach

TL;DR

This paper applies complex network theory to analyze power grid vulnerabilities, introducing a new metric called net-ability to evaluate grid performance and compare it with traditional efficiency measures.

Contribution

It proposes the novel concept of net-ability for assessing power grid robustness, enhancing the understanding of grid vulnerability through complex network analysis.

Findings

Blackout sequences follow power laws.

Net-ability provides a new way to evaluate grid performance.

Comparison shows differences between efficiency and net-ability.

Abstract

Power grids exhibit patterns of reaction to outages similar to complex networks. Blackout sequences follow power laws, as complex systems operating near a critical point. Here, the tolerance of electric power grids to both accidental and malicious outages is analyzed in the framework of complex network theory. In particular, the quantity known as efficiency is modified by introducing a new concept of distance between nodes. As a result, a new parameter called net-ability is proposed to evaluate the performance of power grids. A comparison between efficiency and net-ability is provided by estimating the vulnerability of sample networks, in terms of both the metrics.