Protection methods and actions to increase the safety of operation in power systems assimilated to critical infrastructures

Abstract

In present times, humankind is aware that global warming is a reality, resources are finite while population is growing and more energy demanding. Environmental protection, sustainable development and energy efficiency are increasingly well-known concepts, applied by managers, regulators and end users alike. Increasingly often and severe weather phenomena, terrorism, cyber-criminals and hybrid warfare are impacting the power systems, affecting the quality of life, the economy or even the energy security of states. The authors unambiguously recognize the progress made in implementing new technology systems (IT, telecom, SCADA) in power systems and intends to draws attention to the vulnerabilities that emerge with the digitization (much improved response speed, instantaneous location of any error/interruption, automatic protection systems, flexibility, etc.) in order to not allow for a relatively easy cyber-attack that could partially or totally bring the power grid down. The subject debated in this paper represents risk assessment of power systems as critical infrastructures and a fire simulation at an electrical transformer is presented as a case study.