Assessing the impact of cyber-physical incidents on optimal power flow results in distribution systems

Abstract:
The increasing reliance on resilient and reliable power system infrastructure is driven by changes in energy generation and consumption. The integration of information and communication technologies into power systems creates a highly interconnected cyber-physical energy system, which introduces potential vulnerabilities that may impact system operation. In this paper, a qualitative analysis of possible adverse events and their consequences in a cyber-physical energy system is conducted, focusing low-voltage grids. Adverse events are categorized based on their origin - hardware failures, software errors, or manipulations. Their impact on power flow optimization is analyzed for three representative fault cases. Simulation results on a low-voltage test grid demonstrate that certain adverse events can lead to significant, persistent transformer and line overloads that are not resolved by optimization processes. These findings highlight the critical need for resilient design in cyber-physical energy systems and emphasize the importance of accounting for ICT-related vulnerabilities in the planning and operation of future distribution systems to ensure continued reliability and efficiency.