Resilience assessment and enhancement methods of large-scale gas distribution networks against disruptions due to earthquakes
Yue Zhang, Wenguo Weng, Qingjie Qi
Abstract
ABSTRACT The large-scale gas distribution network is a critical infrastructure system to provide energy for urban operation and development. The leakage and prolonged supply disruptions of networks will have a significant negative impact on public safety and social stability. This paper aims at studying on resilience assessment and enhancement methods of gas distribution networks, which measure the ability of the system to sustain and recover its structure and function from disruptions due to earthquakes. A resilience assessment model of gas distribution networks is proposed, including structural and functional indexes. The topology method is used to subdivide large-scale network into smaller partitions in order to reduce computing difficulty. A certain urban gas distribution network in China is used as an example for empirical analysis. The quantitative assessment results of network structural and functional indexes are compared and analyzed, based on which the correlation between structural characteristics and functional performances are demonstrated. It is shown that the structure reconstruction of network will have a specific impact on the service delivery function. According to conclusions, the emergency and recovery disposals on isolation and restoration priority strategies for faulty part based on structural partitions provide a foundation for enhancing the resilience of gas distribution networks.