Enhancing Microgrid Resilience through Power-Communication Interdependency Analysis Using a Multi-Dimensional Markov Chain Model

Restoring power distribution and communication networks after a natural disaster poses a significant challenge for utilities and the research community. The interdependence between the power system and communication infrastructure adds complexity, as communication networks are vital for power system monitoring, control and operation. Existing restoration strategies have primarily focused on power distribution infrastructure, overlooking the interdependence with communication systems. This paper introduces a novel three-dimensional Markov Chain model that can be used to understand the effects of restoration strategies. The proposed approach considers all possible failure and recovery scenarios, explicitly addressing the interdependence between power distribution and communication networks (PDCM). The results demonstrate the time dynamics of load restoration by showing the importance of restoring distributed generators during microgrid operations, and the need for restoring communications so microgrids can be recombined once the distribution feeder is energized.