Stochastic reliability study of the western 765, 400 and 230 kV transmission lines maintained by EDELCA

A reliability study of the six western transmission lines maintained by EDELCA, the major power generation and transmission utility in Venezuela was completed. The main purpose of this paper was to estimate a set of reliability indices for each power transmission line, using probabilistic techniques such as the Markov approach and the state enumeration method for the load points system assessment. The study was performed by means of a comprehensible transmission system modeling only taking into account the assets of EDELCA from the National power system and using a reliable database specially designed. Furthermore, the adverse weather conditions were considered in terms of the regional lightning characteristics. The expected load curtailment and the expected energy not supplied indices were used to evaluate the reliability of four load points, considering until second order events. Finally, the overall performance of western transmission system of EDELCA is 99,923 %.