Nodal vulnerability to targeted attacks in power grids

Journal Article (2018)
Author(s)

Hale Cetinay (TU Delft - Network Architectures and Services)

K.L.T. Devriendt (TU Delft - Network Architectures and Services)

P.F.A. Van Mieghem (TU Delft - Network Architectures and Services)

Research Group
Network Architectures and Services
DOI related publication
https://doi.org/10.1007/s41109-018-0089-9
More Info
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Publication Year
2018
Language
English
Research Group
Network Architectures and Services
Volume number
3
Pages (from-to)
1-19
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Abstract

Due to the open data policies, nowadays, some countries have their power grid data available online. This may bring a new concern to the power grid operators in terms of malicious threats. In this paper, we assess the vulnerability of power grids to targeted attacks based on network science. By employing two graph models for power grids as simple and weighted graphs, we first calculate the centrality metrics of each node in a power grid. Subsequently, we formulate different node-attack strategies based on those centrality metrics, and empirically analyse the impact of targeted attacks on the structural and the operational performance of power grids. We demonstrate our methodology in the high-voltage transmission networks of 5 European countries and in commonly used IEEE test power grids.