Reliability modeling of cyber-physical electric power systems: A system-theoretic framework

This paper proposes a framework for developing systematic reliability analysis tools to address planning and operation challenges of future electric power systems. These systems are undergoing a radical transformation in structure and functionality enabled by new technologies, e.g., advanced communication and control, renewable-based generation, and advanced power electronics. The added functionality comes with side effects of increased system complexity and the introduction of new sources of uncertainty in systems already inherently complex. Current reliability analysis tools are inadequate to capture the impacts of integrating this new technology. Without proper reliability analysis tools, poorly understood, unreliable and unsafe systems will result, leading to catastrophic consequences if deployed. Thus, it is key to create systematic analytical tools to capture the impacts of new technology integration on power system reliability. In this paper, the discussion focuses on tools for quantifying power system reliability when there is coupling between cyber and physical components, and there is coupling between system dynamics and component stress.