RISK ASSESSMENT AND LARGE-SCALE NETWORKS: EXAMPLE OF ELECTRICITY NETWORK

Essential infrastructures and different networks (water system, gas system, electricity and computer network, etc) are in the center of modern economy. They are complex, interconnected, interdependent and strongly linked to information technologies. Any interruption of service in these facilities (e.g: damage to lifelines by the earthquake) can produce a domino or cascade effects in several others infrastructures which can result in important economic and social consequences for the whole society. The interconnection between these networks is critical for efficient operation of many network industries . The electric power industry is a good example. This paper describes the study of electricity network as an area network system. An area network system, as opposed to a spot network or radial system, consists of multiple wires interconnected with each other and a group of customers. This provides multiple paths on which electricity can flow, to prevent loss of power if one piece of the network stops working. Therefore, the interconnection of networks constitutes a force in terms of operational functioning. However, it can be also a source of structural vulnerability. This paper presents the study of another facet of major risk: domino effects related to Large Scale Risks linked to the structure of Large-scale networks.

کلیدواژه ها:

Large scale networks ، Large scale risks ، Electricity network and lifelines systems ، Earthquake and seismic safety