Reliability of distribution networks is one of the fundamental parameters considered during power systems planning as it is used as a measure of continuity of supply delivered to consumers. Increased presence of renewable distributed generation, energy storage and other network management solutions is changing distribution systems by converting them to active distribution networks, as they have been commonly referred to in recent years. Operational properties of all these technological and management solutions can be harnessed to enhance the reliability of distribution networks.
The objective of this thesis is to develop new analytical tools for the reliability assessment of active distribution networks including renewable distributed generation, energy storage, demand management and power-electronics devices. The proposed tools should allow an accurate and efficient evaluation of the previously mentioned technologies in reliability assessment studies.
To achieve this objective, a detailed literature review in the field is performed first. The state-of-the-art with respect to the reliability assessment techniques is established and main research challenges identified.
A novel analytical tool is proposed to assess the contribution of energy storage to reliability as the existing methodologies in this field lack accuracy or computational efficiency. By using the proposed tool, the computational times required for energy storage evaluation are significantly reduced and accurate results obtained. Then, a new methodology for the selection of adequate energy storage technology for reliability improvement applications is introduced. Based on the obtained reliability indices and cost-benefit results, recommendations for the technology and size of energy storage are provided demonstrating the applicability of the proposed methodology.
In addition to energy storage, other network management solutions like dispatchable loads and power electronics devices are also modelled in reliability assessment. The optimal coordination of all these solutions is included in the evaluation, since this aspect has not been previously addressed by the existing tools. The obtained results indicate the network management solutions and their optimal coordination have a significant impact on reliability and, therefore, have to be taken into consideration during reliability assessment.
The principal advantage of the developed tools is that they allow more accurate reliability evaluation of active distribution networks because the existing techniques and models cannot be used to assess these technologies and their operational properties. Moreover, the computational efficiency of the tools allows a faster evaluation of different scenarios that are typically analysed during the planning stage. All these properties facilitate the task of network planners to design distribution networks with any preset reliability levels leading to decreased economic costs caused by power interruptions and reduced investments.
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