Risk Management of Microgrids in Power System for Enhanced Energy Security and National Resilience

The increasing penetration of distributed energy resources and the growing vulnerability of centralized power systems to natural hazards, terrorist attacks, acts of sabotage, technical incidents, and operational uncertainties have intensified the need for resilient and secure energy infrastructures. Microgrids have emerged as a promising solution to enhance energy security by enabling the localized generation, autonomous operation, and flexible integration of renewable energy sources. However, their effective deployment introduces complex risks related to technical, economic, and operational uncertainties. This paper presents a comprehensive framework for risk management in microgrids within modern power systems, aiming to improve the overall security and resilience of Romania’s power system. The study systematically identifies and evaluates the main risk scenarios affecting the power system: natural disasters, terrorist attacks, acts of sabotage, and technical incidents. In addition, to achieve an in-depth analysis, the paper also discusses the SWOT and PESTEL analyses of the Romanian power system, as well as its resilience. A multi-level risk assessment methodology is proposed, combining probabilistic analysis with severity (impact) analysis. The proposed approach is validated through case studies based on risk scenario assessments, demonstrating its effectiveness in improving microgrid performance under diverse disturbance conditions. The results highlight the critical role of proactive risk management in supporting energy security objectives, while ensuring stable and resilient operation of the Romanian power system. This research contributes to the development of adaptive and sustainable power systems, capable of addressing future challenges in an increasingly decentralized energy landscape, and can be adapted to any modern power system worldwide.