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Vulnerability Assessment of Nigerian 48-Bus 330 kV Transmission Network to Cascading Failure Using Eigenvalue-Based Modal Analysis
Subject area: Science,Engineering and Technology · Area of research: Electrical Engineering - Power Systems
DOI: 10.64388/IREV9I4-1711275-2724
Abstract
This study presents a vulnerability assessment of Nigeria?s 48-bus 330?kV transmission network to cascading failures under multiple contingency scenarios using eigenvalue-based modal analysis. A high-fidelity simulation model was developed in NEPLAN, comprising 48 buses, 67 transmission lines, and multiple generating stations. Modal analysis was employed to diagnose voltage instability by evaluating participation factors associated with the system?s lowest-frequency oscillation modes. The results reveal that northeastern buses, including Jalingo (0.2056), Maiduguri (0.1982), Yola (0.1925), Damaturu (0.1548), and Gombe (0.1227), exhibit dominant modal participation, indicating heightened vulnerability to reactive power disturbances. Transmission corridors such as Makurdi?Jos (1.000), Jos?Gombe (0.6875), and Ugwaji?Makurdi (0.3467) demonstrated strong modal sensitivity, suggesting their critical role in fault propagation pathways. Generator participation analysis identified Okpai GS (1.0000) and Shiroro GS (0.4357) as key dynamic influencers, underscoring their strategic importance in system stability. The findings highlight the grid?s susceptibility to cascading failures, particularly in weakly meshed Northeastern regions with limited reactive power support. Modal analysis proves to be an effective diagnostic tool for identifying instability-prone elements and guiding targeted resilience interventions. The study recommends strategic deployment of reactive compensation devices and topology reconfiguration to mitigate instability and cascading failure risks and enhance grid robustness under multi-contingency conditions.
Keywords
Cascading Failure, Eigenvalue, Modal Analysis, Vulnerability Assessment, Nigerian 48-Bus 330kV Transmission Network
References
[1] Ahiakwo, C. O., Idoniboyeobu, D. C., Braide, S. L., & Onita, C. L. (2022). Investigation of voltage stability of the Nigerian 330kV transmission network using Newton Newton-Raphson method. International Journal of Research in Engineering and Science, 10(6), 122–129. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/361101209
[2] Aribi, F., Nwohu, M. N., Sadiq, A. A., &Ambafi, J. G. (2015). Voltage profile enhancement of the Nigerian North-East 330kV power network using STATCOM. International Journal of Advanced Research in Science, Engineering and Technology, 2(1), 330–336. Available from IJARSET.
[3] Banafer, M., & Biswal, M., “Investigation of Power System Cascading Failure and the Causes,” 2nd International Conference on Energy, Power and Environment: Towards Smart Technology, ICEPE 2018, 2019.
[4] Bialek, J., Ciapessoni, E., Cirio, D., Cotilla-Sanchez, E., Dent, C., Dobson, I., Henneaux, P., Hines, P., Jardim, J., Miller, S., Panteli, M., Papic, M., Pitto, A., Quiros-Tortos, J., & Wu, D. (2016). Benchmarking and validation of cascading failure analysis tools. IEEE Transactions on Power Systems, 31(6), 4887–4900. https://doi.org/10.1109/tpwrs .2016.2518660
[5] Ekeng, L., Ahiakwo, C., Amadi, H., &Obuah, E. (2024). Voltage collapse in Nigeria Power system- causes and remedies. IOSR Journal of Electrical and Electronics Engineering (IOSR-JEEE), 19(1), 54–63. https://www.iosrjournals.org
[6] Guo, Z., Sun, K., Su, X., & Simunovic, S. (2023). A review on simulation models of cascading failures in power systems. iEnergy, 2(4), 284–296. https://doi.org/10.23919/ien.2023.0039
[7] NERC (2023). Glossary of terms used in NERC reliability standards. North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC). Available at https://www.nerc.com/pa/Stand/Glossary%20of%20Terms /Glossary_of_Terms.pdf
[8] Panteli, M., & Mancarella, P. (2017). Modeling and evaluating the resilience of critical electrical power infrastructure to extreme weather events. IEEE Systems Journal, 11(3), 1733–1742. https://doi.org/10.1109/JSYST.2015.2389272
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[10] Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN). (2021). Transmission network status and performance report. Retrieved from https://www.tcn.org.ng
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How to cite this paper
@article{1711275,
author = {Fabian C. Oreke, Prof. Christopher O. Ahiakwo, Sepribo L. Braide, Hachimenum N. Amadi},
title = {Vulnerability Assessment of Nigerian 48-Bus 330 kV Transmission Network to Cascading Failure Using Eigenvalue-Based Modal Analysis},
journal = {Iconic Research And Engineering Journals},
year = {2025},
volume = {9},
number = {4},
pages = {703-711},
issn = {2456-8880},
url = {https://www.irejournals.com/formatedpaper/1711275.pdf},
abstract = {This study presents a vulnerability assessment of Nigeria?s 48-bus 330?kV transmission network to cascading failures under multiple contingency scenarios using eigenvalue-based modal analysis. A high-fidelity simulation model was developed in NEPLAN, comprising 48 buses, 67 transmission lines, and multiple generating stations. Modal analysis was employed to diagnose voltage instability by evaluating participation factors associated with the system?s lowest-frequency oscillation modes. The results reveal that northeastern buses, including Jalingo (0.2056), Maiduguri (0.1982), Yola (0.1925), Damaturu (0.1548), and Gombe (0.1227), exhibit dominant modal participation, indicating heightened vulnerability to reactive power disturbances. Transmission corridors such as Makurdi?Jos (1.000), Jos?Gombe (0.6875), and Ugwaji?Makurdi (0.3467) demonstrated strong modal sensitivity, suggesting their critical role in fault propagation pathways. Generator participation analysis identified Okpai GS (1.0000) and Shiroro GS (0.4357) as key dynamic influencers, underscoring their strategic importance in system stability. The findings highlight the grid?s susceptibility to cascading failures, particularly in weakly meshed Northeastern regions with limited reactive power support. Modal analysis proves to be an effective diagnostic tool for identifying instability-prone elements and guiding targeted resilience interventions. The study recommends strategic deployment of reactive compensation devices and topology reconfiguration to mitigate instability and cascading failure risks and enhance grid robustness under multi-contingency conditions.},
keywords = {Cascading Failure, Eigenvalue, Modal Analysis, Vulnerability Assessment, Nigerian 48-Bus 330kV Transmission Network},
month = {October},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV9I4-1711275-2724}
}