Customer value-based reliability enhancement models for urban distribution systems

Summary form only given,as follows. Achieving high distribution reliability levels and concurrently minimizing capital costs can be viewed as a problem of optimization. Using given outage rates and repair times for different distribution system equipment, distribution system design is the remaining factor in determining customer reliability. Including customer value of reliability in an economic analysis allows for optimization of the different aspects of distribution system design. Using mathematical models and simulations, a comparison of design concepts can be performed to indicate the optimal feeder section length, feeder loading level, and distribution substation transformer loading level. The number of feeder ties and feeder tie placement is also optimized through the models. Comparison of different distribution system designs leads to a cost-effective layout toward which existing systems should evolve. Capital and O&M expenditures can then be allocated effectively to achieve optimum reliability levels with the lowest costs.