Recent Advances on the Challenges of Resilient Automation Systems of the Power Grid: Critical Review

Despite their infrequency, natural disasters like hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods pose significant threats to power systems, with profound economic impacts on nations and individuals. This paper delves into enhancing power system resilience against such disruptions through techniques such as network reconfiguration, defensive isolation, and targeted strengthening. A critical factor in power system failures is cyber-attacks, which exploit the integration of sensors, monitoring tools, and communication devices. To bolster system defenses against cyber threats, strategies like intrusion prevention systems, multiple layers of defense, and prompt security responses are implemented. Additionally, ageing infrastructure and human error contribute significantly to system failures, underscoring the importance of error prevention and maintenance of aging components. This paper conducts a comprehensive analysis of the grid's advanced automation systems, reviews several case studies, and proposes solutions to mitigate the challenges posed by these threats.