An algorithm for reliability bounds evaluation for power distribution system

Evaluating the reliability of a distribution network is basically calculating the capability of each load to "communicate" successfully with one or more sources. The connection of a future distribution network may be neither series nor parallel, and analyzing such a network is a complicated and time-consuming task. Because of the large number of cases to be analyzed, it is important to determine network reliability quickly, especially in network planning and modification. A technical approach for evaluating the reliability of a networked distribution system consistently is described. The proposed method is based on the identification of circuit minimal tie sets using the concept of Petri nets. Prime number encoding and unique prime factorization are applied to classify the remaining combinations as tie sets, cut sets, or minimal cut sets. The minimal cut sets are used to calculate the upper and lower bounds of the load and system reliability indices. Examples are shown to illustrate the proposed method. A well-known test bed is used to illustrate the analysis (the Roy Billinton Test System (RBTS)).