Title :
Utilisation of static circuit breakers in loop distribution systems for reliability improvement
Author :
Calì, A. ; Conti, S. ; Oriti, C. ; Tina, G.
Author_Institution :
Dipt. Elettrico, Elettronico e Sistemistico, Catania Univ., Italy
Abstract :
Nowadays, electric utility companies are expected to provide their customers with a level of quality and reliability higher than that in the past. To improve service on medium voltage (MV) and low voltage (LV) distribution networks, the electric utilities ought to employ new electronic and information technologies, which are quite widespread in industrial plants but not used as much in electric utilities due to the high ratio between costs and benefits. In this work, an optimised management of looped distribution system with solid-state current limiting circuit breakers and distribution automation control is studied, emphasising the possibility of increasing the reliability of the system. First an innovative management of the looped distribution system is proposed; then a comparison in terms of reliability and customer interruption costs among different system configurations with traditional and innovative devices is carried on. In conclusion, the paper highlights the opportunity of accounting for customer marginal benefits as a factor for effective power system planning, design and operation, especially when innovative technologies are adopted
Keywords :
circuit breakers; electricity supply industry; fault current limiters; power distribution control; power distribution economics; power distribution reliability; power supply quality; customer interruption costs; customer marginal benefits; distribution automation control; electric utility companies; loop distribution system reliability improvement; optimised management; power quality; power system design; power system operation; power system planning; reliability worth; solid-state current limiting circuit breakers; static circuit breakers; Automation; Circuit breakers; Current limiters; Industrial electronics; Industrial plants; Information technology; Low voltage; Medium voltage; Power industry; Solid state circuits;
Conference_Titel :
Harmonics and Quality of Power Proceedings, 1998. Proceedings. 8th International Conference On
Conference_Location :
Athens
Print_ISBN :
0-7803-5105-3
DOI :
10.1109/ICHQP.1998.760175