A probabilistic method for reliability, economic and generator interconnection transmission planning studies

Probabilistic methods for transmission planning have been put forth by several authors in the past. These previous methods have recommended departures from the current N-1 contingency method used by most utilities and independent system operators. The method proposed in this paper is intended to take the exiting N-1 method and enhance it by using a tool called @Risk. The authors propose that the method described in this paper can be used to compare transmission development scenarios that are intended to relieve congestion between areas, or to rank transmission projects intended to improve reliability.