λ₂
Electrical · Power Systems · Spectral Graph Theory

Topological Vulnerability Map

The Fiedler value λ₂ of the network's weighted graph Laplacian is the algebraic connectivity — the quantitative measure of how hard it is to disconnect the grid. The Fiedler vector v₂ reveals the natural partition: where the network would split first under stress.

L = D − A  ·  λ₂ = minₓ≠₀ xᵀLx / xᵀx  ·  V(Cᵢ) = (λ₂ − λ₂(Cᵢ)) / λ₂

Baseline λ₂

5.2049

Algebraic connectivity

Cut edges

3

Bisection boundary

Islanding edges

11

Would disconnect network

Most critical

10→32 (T)

Highest vulnerability

Fiedler vector overlay(amber = partition A, blue = partition B, dashed red = removed edge, amber lines = cut edges)

● Generator busAmber/blue = Fiedler vector signYellow lines = partition cut

Baseline partition

Partition A (v₂ ≥ 0)

15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28, 29, 33, 34, 35, 36, 38

Partition B (v₂ < 0)

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 25, 30, 31, 32, 37, 39

Cut edges (3)

3→18, 14→15, 25→26

N-1 Contingency Ranking (46 edges)

Sort by:
RankEdgeTypePost λ₂λ₂ dropVuln %Island?
110→32 (T)T05.2049
100.0%
YES
223→36 (T)T05.2049
100.0%
YES
319→33 (T)T05.2049
100.0%
YES
42→30 (T)T05.2049
100.0%
YES
519→20 (T)T05.2049
100.0%
YES
620→34 (T)T05.2049
100.0%
YES
76→31 (T)T05.2049
100.0%
YES
822→35 (T)T05.2049
100.0%
YES
925→37 (T)T05.2049
100.0%
YES
1029→38 (T)T05.2049
100.0%
YES
1116→19L05.2049
100.0%
YES
1216→17L2.13113.0738
59.1%
1315→16L2.74862.4563
47.2%
1414→15L2.77262.4323
46.7%
1517→27L2.84072.3643
45.4%
1626→27L3.12732.0777
39.9%
172→25L3.30891.8961
36.4%
183→4L3.58331.6216
31.2%
191→2L3.62991.5751
30.3%
2016→21L3.69401.5110
29.0%