Component-Level Reliability Evaluation Model for Cyber Power Devices

Reliability evaluation of power components in the presence of automation devices and cyber links is critical for the improved performance of a smart grid. This work presents a model representing a cyber power component for reliability studies, incorporating interdependency and common-cause failure while reducing computational complexity. Power-component failure, automation-component failure, communication failure, communication delay, and cyberattack are incorporated to develop a comprehensive component-level reliability-evaluation model. A multistate model is proposed with 36 states for a cyber-enabled power component by integrating cyber links as a part of the smart component. Based on the power system reliability analysis, this model is reduced to a 12-state model. Finally, a two-state model is presented for its practical adaptation to specific applications. Due to the nature of the smart component, the following basic applications are considered in this work: (i) health monitoring, (ii) real-time monitoring, and (iii) actuation. A sensitivity analysis is carried out to evaluate the impact of cyber failure and cyberattacks on the reliability of the smart component. Model-reduction techniques, reliability-evaluation procedures, and example case study are provided in order to validate the proposed method.