Power Grid Resilience [Scanning the Issue

Abstract

Hurricane Sandy and other recent extreme weather events, which have caused significant service interruptions including power outages, have revealed that our power grid is not sufficiently planned and operated to be resilient to large-scale events. Power grid resilience is a generic term that covers many aspects of power grid planning and operation. A resilient power grid should be capable of executing preventive measures, mitigating the impact of extreme events, responding optimally by automated control procedures, reducing the time needed to restore service to consumers, and potentially leading to significant economic savings. In addition, due to the growing usage of information and communication technologies (ICT), power grids are being increasingly exposed to cyber attacks. The recent blackout in Ukraine serves as a good example to illustrate the severe consequence that cyber attacks on the power grid can entail. Extensive reports and media coverage indicate the urgency to improve our power grid resilience. Maintaining resilience of the power grid is crucial to our nation’s energy security and sustainability.