An enhanced graphical user interface for analyzing the vulnerability of electrical power systems to terrorist attacks

Abstract

This thesis develops a Graphical User Interface (GUI) to represent electric power grids subject to interdiction (attack) by terrorists. The work enhances the prototypic One-line Diagram (OD) representations of electric power networks in the VEGA 1.0 decision-support system (Vulnerability of Electrical Power Grids Analysis, version 1.0). Conforming to Windows standards, the new OD GUI incorporates advanced graphical features, which help the user visualize the model and understand the consequences of interdiction. The new ODs also capture the details of system restoration over time following an attack. The enhanced OD GUI has been incorporated into the updated version of the system, VEGA 2.0.