A Review on Vulnerability Analysis of Electric Grid: Approaches, Models, and Solution Methods

In recent years, electric grids have been one of the main targets of terrorist attacks all over the world. These attacks are not considered in the design of electric grids. Subsequent to several blackouts in recent years, many researchers have studied the vulnerability of electric grids against intentional attacks, in both the operation and planning contexts. No review and classification of these studies is provided so far. In this paper, different approaches to vulnerability analysis of electric grids are presented and classified. Then, different objectives of antagonistic groups in attacking the electric grids, mathematical models and solution methodologies, challenges and solutions to deal with these challenges are represented in detail. Proper classifications that are presented in this paper help the network planners to incorporate several aspects of vulnerability analysis in their decisions about network planning and operation.