Reliability evaluation of electric power systems integrating smart grid solutions

摘要: Power networks are committed to delivering a high quality of supply preserving high security and reliability levels under network uncertainties in an economic way. They should fulfil these commitments while encountering challenges from increasing demand and integration of renewable energy resources (RES). High penetration of RES becomes a mandatory requirement to current and future grids for reducing CO2 emissions which is a main target for most of the governments. As an example, the European Union (EU) published their plan for low carbon networks (LCNs) by having 20% of their total generation as RES by 2020 [1]. The United Kingdom (UK) vision is to have 15% of their demand-supply from RES by 2020 based on the UK renewable energy road map report [2]. The same report also mentioned that Northern Ireland target is to deliver 40% renewable electricity by 2020.Despite the agreed vision and aim of high RES penetration, they are accompanied by many uncertainties due to their stochastic nature. Such uncertainties lead to many technical challenges as violating the thermal ratings of existing network lines when high RES outputs exist without enough line capacities to carry the increased flows. This stresses the existing aged network assets affecting the network’s reliability. To overcome such challenges network reinforcements are required; however, there are economic and environmental constraints restricting such actions. The economic constraints represent the restrictions on the available investments for network expansion based on the operators’ long-term investment planning procedures. While the environmental …