Insight Into Cyber Information Flow Interdependencies Using Bio-inspired Topologies

With a power systems cyber network being targeted more than ever it is imperative to evaluate current and future power system designs. Bio-inspired designs previously applied to power systems have succeeded in creating a more resilient physical network. Here a cyber-information flow network is modeled for the WSCC 9-bus system to analyze system resilience. Ecological Network Analysis is applied to improve the modeling of inter-cyber information flow topologies a nd a ssess t heir resilience, risks, and vulnerabilities. Two disturbance scenarios are created to provide insight into network resilience and topological strength specifically regarding network communication. The results suggest that Relay-to-Control Center information flows are more vulnerable to a disturbance. This supports a need for device redundancy in the overall information flow topology. The results lay the foundation for future investigations into inter-cyber network interdependencies and the optimization of power grid system designs.