Integrated assessment of distribution network reliability with demand-side management and distributed generation/storage technologies

This work analyses possible benefits of the coordinated deployment of renewable-based micro-generation systems, energy storage and wide-scale implementation of demand-side management on reliability performance of distribution networks. In existing literature, related analyses mostly concentrate on the operation, control and planning aspects of “smart grids”. Therefore, this study introduces a new methodology for quantifying in a most realistic manner the standard set of indices reported annually to Energy Regulators. Particular attention is given to continuity of supply of low voltage residential customers and potential scenarios to improve service quality by reducing the frequency and duration of customer interruptions.
Conventional reliability assessment procedures are extended to include accurate reliability equivalent models, actual load profiles, and empirical (i.e. recorded non-uniform) fault probability distributions, allowing to make a clear distinction between short and long supply interruptions. Besides these modifications, the conventional Monte Carlo Simulation is modified in order to include up-to-date security of supply legislation, which specifies required supply restoration times for interrupted customers. Different scenarios are considered in order to validate the proposed methodology and demonstrate its accuracy and applicability.