Abstract
In the last decade, the main attacks against smart grids have occurred in communication networks (ITs) causing the disconnection of physical equipment from power networks (OTs) and leading to electricity supply interruptions. To deal with the deficiencies presented in past studies, this paper addresses smart grids vulnerability assessment considering the smart grid as a cyber-physical heterogeneous interconnected system. The model of the cyber-physical system is composed of a physical power network model and the information and communication technology network model (ICT) both are interconnected and are interrelated by means of the communication and control equipment installed in the smart grid. This model highlights the hidden interdependencies between power and ICT networks and contains the interaction between both systems. To mimic the real nature of smart grids, the interconnected heterogeneous model is based on multilayer complex network theory and scale-free graph, where there is a one-to-many relationship between cyber and physical assets. Multilayer complex network theory centrality indexes are used to determine the interconnected heterogeneous system set of nodes criticality. The proposed methodology, which includes measurement, communication, and control equipment, has been tested on a standardized power network that is interconnected to the ICT network. Results demonstrate the model’s effectiveness in detecting vulnerabilities in the interdependent cyber-physical system compared to traditional vulnerability assessments applied to power networks (OT).
Highlights
Smart grids are characterized by high digitisation that facilitates modernisation in electrical network infrastructure, active grid management, control and real-time communication with consumers, prosumers, and DSOs [1]
We model a smart grid as a whole cyber-physical system composed of two heterogeneous interconnected networks: power network, information and communication technology network model (ICT) network, and the coupling network between both networks
If the power network and ICT network have a great number of nodes and the connectivity between both networks is high, the supra-adjacency matrix employed to represent the interconnected cyber-physical system could achieve large dimensions leading to computational burden problems for analysing the smart grid vulnerability
Summary
Smart grids are characterized by high digitisation that facilitates modernisation in electrical network infrastructure, active grid management, control and real-time communication with consumers, prosumers, and DSOs [1]. To the the determine vulnerabilities cyber-physical of the systems, the vulnerabilities cyber-physical of the systems, the we vulnerabilities cyber-physical of use systems, the we multilayer cyber-phys of use systems, the we multil cybe of use sys th works in which only powe of twoencies interconnected heterogeneous networks (power network, network) and by the not able not to able detect not to able detect not to able detect interaction power and the vulnerab betwee nor intera pow and th complex network centrality indexes which allow us to detect complex hidden network interdependcentrality neous systems. The con Section as is paper of organized follows: 2multias is paper introduces organized multilayer follows: 2multias is introdu organ follow
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