Surveys on the reliability impacts of power system cyber–physical layers

Abstract Information and communication technology (ICT) is a vital addition to modern society living and is a crucial feature of the smart grid. It boosts the power system with the advantage of using intelligent infrastructure to aid monitoring, protection, bidirectional communication, supply safety, security and self-healing characteristics. ICT infrastructures are integrated into the power network by using technologies, such as active distribution networks, smart cities and societies, dynamic line ratings, special protection schemes and demand-side management programmes. Deployment of these technologies has beneficial impacts on the reliability of power systems. However, these infrastructures are naturally prone to failures and cybersecurity issues because of Internet of things standards, which can further jeopardise system reliability. Various studies have examined the effect of these technologies on the reliability of power systems whilst ignoring that the associated ICTs could be unavailable. Thus, this work comprehensively reviews studies that go beyond component-based reliability assessment and accounts for the impact of ICT integrations on system-wide reliability whilst explicitly considering the effects of malfunctions of the cyber system. Moreover, the paper presents quantitative and qualitative information about the impact of ICT deployed with various smart grid technologies and applications on the reliability of modern power systems.