Reliability analysis of the secondary grid distribution networks

The typical power distribution systems are in radial configurations in which the connection is radial and the power flows in one direction from the substation to the customer´s loads. Due to the increased need for more reliable power on the distribution side, and since most of the interruptions experienced by customers originate from the radial distribution side, the future distribution power systems and Microgrids are expected to be complex, highly reliable and highly connected. One topology of the future power distribution system is the grid network topology in which the system is connected in non-series, non-parallel configuration. Although this type of connection is costly, it has improved reliability due to the increased redundancy. In this paper, the reliability of a typical secondary grid network distribution system is studied. Two theoretical techniques are used to calculate the failure frequency, duration and availability. These techniques are the decomposition method and minimal cut set method.