Bulk power system reliability concepts and applications

While it is pointed out that probabilistic methods for the reliability assessment of composite generation and bulk transmission in electric power systems are still under development, an overview is given of the purposes and uses of power systems reliability studies. Probabilistic indices and reliability criteria are discussed. The features of a comprehensive reliability program to compute these indices are listed, and of these features, those required in selected applications are examined. Modeling and computational difficulties are discussed, and the necessity of balancing program accuracy and computing effort is stressed