Centralized vs. Decentralized Electric Grid Resilience Analysis Using Leontief’s Input–Output Model

Abstract

Escalating events such as extreme weather conditions, geopolitical incidents, acts of war, cyberattacks, and the intermittence of renewable energy resources pose substantial challenges to the functionality of global electric grids. Consequently, research on enhancing the resilience of electric grids has become increasingly crucial. Concurrently, the decentralization of electric grids, driven by a heightened integration of distributed energy resources (DERs) and the imperative for decarbonization, has brought about significant transformations in grid topologies. These changes can profoundly impact flexibility, operability, and reliability. However, there is a lack of research on the impact of DERs on the electric grid’s resilience, as well as a simple model to simulate the impact of any disturbance on the grid. Hence, to analyze the electric grid’s resilience, this study employs an extrapolation of Leontief’s input–output (IO) model, originally designed to study ripple effects in economic sectors. Nodes are treated as industries, and power transmission between nodes is considered as the relationship between industries. Our research compares operability changes in centralized, partially decentralized, and fully decentralized grids under identical fault conditions. Using grid inoperability as a key performance indicator (KPI), this study tests the three grid configurations under two fault scenarios. The results confirm the efficacy of decentralization in enhancing the resilience and security of electric grids.