Stochastic Petri nets architectural modules for power system availability

The most commonly used dependability models are the state-space models, as generalized stochastic Petri nets (GSPN). Due to their logical subnets, a complex model results even for simple repairable systems. Combining the GSPN properties and high level Petri net facilities, a simplified model, having the same modeling power as GSPN, is built, giving logical explicit stochastic Petri net (LESPN) architectural modules for parallel, series, and series-parallel repairable systems. These modules can be used in repairable power systems dependability modeling (but not only). A computerized tool, SPNE, is created to compute the dependability metrics. The paper presents a comparative analysis of the LESPN architectural modules. We apply the dependability comparative analysis in a ship electric power plant safety study. Three electrical generators-main switchboard (EG-MS) coupling alternatives, for the ship electric power plant, are proposed and analyzed.