Importance and difficulties of comparing reliability criteria and the assessment of reliability

Due to the importance of reliable electricity supply and the evolutions in the electrical grid, it can be expected that the way in which we assess reliability need to be adapted. At this moment, reliability is commonly assessed deterministically based on an N-1 criterion, while risk-based reliability assessment is widely available in academic works and is used in other industries. However, because of the years of successful use as well as the straightforward and transparent character of the currently used deterministic approach based on an N-1 criterion, stakeholders of the power system are not eager to apply other approaches. Nevertheless, probabilistic assessment is better suited to take into account growing uncertainty and complexity, for instance due to the increased amount of renewable energy sources. Such approaches are well-known for a long time, but difficulties in computation, limitations on the availability of stochastic input data and difficulties in correctly weighing the benefits of using these approaches have prevented them from being used in practice. This paper indicates the need for a comparison between these probabilistic reliability assessments and the deterministic assessment that is currently used. Difficulties in comparing various approaches are shown illustratively through the reliability assessment of a basic test system. The focus of this example is on planning.

ISBN:9789081064804

Jaar van publicatie:2014

Toegankelijkheid:Open