Reliability evaluation of restructured power systems using a novel optimal power-flow-based approach

Power system planning and operation has been considerably affected by restructuring of power systems and high penetration of renewable energy resources. In the new environment, customers are at the centre of attention and their concerns need to be addressed properly. The conventional techniques are not usually able to address both segregation of power system components and uncertainty of renewable energy resources. A novel technique is proposed in this study to determine load point reliability in restructured power systems considering the effect of renewable generators. This technique is based on modified optimal power flow and represents generation and transmission system with their equivalent multistate models and investigates the effect of each one on the load point reliability, separately. Furthermore, this approach remarkably relieves the reliability evaluation process, especially when loads and generations are subject to changes in the power system. The proposed method can assist the planners in reaching an optimal load allocation plan by providing valuable information. The proposed approach is applied to the Roy Billinton test system to illustrate the applications and advantages of the new approach.