Critical Nodes Identification of Power Systems Based on Controllability of Complex Networks

This paper proposes a new method for assessing the vulnerability of power systems based on the controllability theories of complex networks. A novel controllability index is established, taking into consideration the full controllability of the power systems, for identifying critical nodes. The network controllability model is used to calculate the minimum number of driver nodes (ND), which can solve the computable problems of the controllability of power systems. The proposed approach firstly applies the network controllability theories to research the power systems' vulnerability, which can not only effectively reveal the important nodes but also maintain full control of the power systems. Meanwhile, the method can also overcome the limitation of the hypothesis that the weight of each link or transmission line must be known compared with the existing literature. In addition, the power system is considered as a directed network and the power system model is also redefined. The proposed methodology is then used to identify critical nodes of the IEEE 118 and 300 bus system. The results show that the failure of the critical nodes can clearly increase ND and lead a significant driver node shift. Thus, the rationality and validity are verified.