Reliability assessment in smart distribution networks

• Published in: Electric power systems research Vol. 104; pp. 164 - 175
• Main Authors: Celli, Gianni, Ghiani, Emilio, Pilo, Fabrizio, Soma, Gian Giuseppe
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01.11.2013; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Direct energy conversion and energy accumulation; Distribution networks; Electrical engineering. Electrical power engineering; Electrical machines; Electrical power engineering; Energy accumulation; Exact sciences and technology; Ground, air and sea transportation, marine construction; Information and communication technology; Miscellaneous; Monte Carlo simulation; Power networks and lines; Regulation and control; Reliability; Road transportation and traffic; Smart Grid; Information and communication technology; Reliability; Monte Carlo simulation; Distribution networks; Smart Grid; Performance evaluation; Stochastic model; Wireless telecommunication; Power system stability; Electric vehicle; Distributed power generation; Communication technology; Energy characteristic; Deterministic approach; State estimation; Distribution network; Intelligent system; Monte Carlo method; Control system; Information technology; Smart grid; Critical conditions; Renewable energy sources; Electrical network; Numerical simulation; System simulation; Planning; Electric power production; Energy storage
• ISSN: 0378-7796; 1873-2046
• DOI: 10.1016/j.epsr.2013.07.001

•Monte Carlo simulation tool for reliability evaluation of the future smart distribution networks.•Availability models of power system elements and renewable generation.•Meteorological model integrated in a pseudo sequential Monte Carlo simulation.•Performances of ICT wireless communication networks.•The results of the paper confirms that wireless communication networks maybe used for the future distribution networks without degrade the reliability and quality of service. The development of the future energy system will be based on planning and management of the distribution system in accordance with the Smart Grid philosophy. This approach involves the extensive use of information and communication technology and innovative control systems in order to enable the realization of smart distribution systems, the active participation of demand, the availability of energy storage, as well as the integration of distributed generation and renewable energy sources and the expected growing number of electric vehicles in distribution networks. The important question that still remains unanswered is how much reliable should be the functioning of the whole future power, information, and communication infrastructures. The increasing complexity of the future distribution system implies to go beyond the classical deterministic contingency analysis with the application of a more correct stochastic approach. Being aware of this, the authors developed a new tool for the reliability assessment of the future distribution network based on a Pseudo-Sequential Monte Carlo simulation. The reliability models of the main power system components, of the renewable generation, and of the communication infrastructure have been considered in the methodology, permitting the simulation of the whole smart distribution system and the estimation of the effects on its reliability performance of the wireless communication system outages.