ABSTRACT
Vulnerability assessment (VA) in power systems is used to determine how vulnerable a power system is in case of any unforeseen catastrophic event. The highly interconnected power system when greatly stressed may be vulnerable to cascading failures occurring due to a series of low-probability events. A power system is considered invulnerable if it can withstand all unpredicted natural disasters such as earthquake and flood as well as disturbances initiated by heavy loading conditions and human errors. On the other hand, a power system is vulnerable if it is susceptible to hazards that substantially reduce its ability to maintain its intended function. The concept of power system VA combines information on the level of system security as well as information on a wide range of scenarios, events, and contingencies with regard to which a system is vulnerable so that preventive and emergency control steps can be taken to minimize catastrophic power outages and reduce the associated risk.
