Vulnerability Detection of US Power Grid Network Based on Cascading Failure Through Underlying Principles of Complex Network Analysis

Abstract

Complex network (CN) concepts have revolutionized the way large and complex technological networks are perceived and understood. Electrical power grids are a prime example of such networks. Removal of small number of grids and power lines can cause a serious blackout throughout a country which refers to cascading failure in the power grid network. Complex network concepts can help to solve cascading problem by analyzing the robustness and performance of a power grid network by representing it a simple graph network to find the impact of the removal of some grids (nodes) and power lines (edges) on the overall performance of the network. In this research, we have used complex network concepts to find out the cascading failure in the US power grid network. We have analyzed the cascading breakdown by employing various measures of network centrality. Our findings indicate that eliminating only 10% of nodes with both high degree and high betweenness in the power grid network has a significant impact, leading to a loss of 96% efficiency and posing a significant risk of a widespread blackout across the entire country. The outcomes of this study offer valuable understanding regarding the durability and resilience of the power grids in the United States. Furthermore, help to identify the critical weaknesses that require attention to enhance the network’s overall performance and stability.