Reliability Evaluation of Active Distribution Systems with Distributed Generations

Abstract

Reliability evaluation is essential in designing, planning, operating modern power systems. System operators must operate the network securely and efficiently with minimal interruption events. With the recent advances in power electronics and control, distributed generations (DG) such as photovoltaic (PV), wind turbine, and storage systems are expected to grow in distribution networks. This high level of distributed generations penetration in the grid can increase the complexity of operating the system. This is caused by intermittent nature of solar irradiance and wind speed. This paper proposes a methodology used to assess distribution networks containing stochastic resources such as photovoltaic. This method will use the Monte Carlo simulation with a stochastic model to evaluate the distribution network's reliability. The system and load point reliability indices such as frequency of loss of load and expected energy not to supplied will be computed in this technique. In addition, the configuration of distribution networks to improve system's reliability to facilitate system restoration after pre-fault conditions will be assessed.