The Use of a Complex Network with NetworkX and Neplan Software for the Analysis of a Power Transmission System

The evolution of electrical energy in all its aspects is one of the biggest challenges facing the operation of modern power systems. With the addition of numerous new, networked components to these systems, such as intelligent devices, electric vehicles, renewable energy sources, and battery storage, maintaining reliability and security is becoming increasingly difficult. To ensure that power transmission systems are secure and reliable, network security and reliability evaluations must be performed on a regular basis. The conventional approaches of using engineering tools for power flow analyses need to be enhanced in light of current grid challenges. More comprehensive analyses require the use of complex network concepts. This research proposes employing a combination of the Neplan engineering software and complex network concepts using Python NetworkX, both of which are recent advances, to address the challenges related to the modern grid by assessing the security and reliability of the power transmission system. The experimental results show enhanced reliability and security by employing complex network concepts to assess the grid’s topology and identify essential elements based on their centrality and betweenness and power flow analyses to comprehend how power flows and how various operating conditions impact the system.