A comprehensive review on resilience definitions, frameworks, metrics, and enhancement strategies in electrical distribution systems

The importance of resilience in electrical distribution systems (EDS) is emphasized by their susceptibility to natural calamities that cause widespread infrastructure damage and prolonged service interruptions. This review article provides a comprehensive examination of resilience in the area of EDS, with an emphasis on understanding the multifaceted nature of this concept, as evidenced by the breadth of definitions from different organizations and the variety of frameworks proposed for evaluation and enhancement. In recent years, extreme weather events have repeatedly challenged the robustness of electrical distribution systems, bringing to light the limitations of existing infrastructures and the need for enhanced resilience strategies. The devastating impacts of hurricanes, cyclones, and other natural disasters have not only caused immediate disruptions but have also had lingering effects on the affected populations and economies. These events have brought forth a need for a critical assessment of resilience within EDS, propelling the search for metrics and solutions that could withstand and swiftly recover from such adversities. Our exploration begins with a comparison of the concepts of resilience and reliability, highlighting their interconnected yet distinct roles in ensuring the efficacy of EDS. The definitions and frameworks of resilience proposed by various organizations are outlined. This review also discusses existing resilience metrics and their capacity to capture the electrical and topological aspects of EDS. We assess the readiness of these metrics to capture the elements of resilience across different operational and planning scenarios. Moreover, we present the introduction of complex network theory as a tool through which the resilience of EDS could be quantified, revealing critical points and vulnerabilities within network topology. Additionally, the paper examines recent methods for enhancing resilience, encompassing both planning and operational techniques. From the review, existing research gaps and challenges are identified, providing suggestions for future directions to enhance EDS resilience. This comprehensive overview aims to provide guidelines and tools to improve the resilience of distribution systems to endure and recover from extreme events and disruptions.