Hybrid AC/DC microgrids flexible reliability index by using the axiomatic design concept

Abstract

With the capacity increase of large-scale DC renewable energy and DC loads, the reliability issues of hybrid AC/DC networks become increasingly prominent. On the other hand, a modern distribution network should also deliver power to individual customers based on their priority levels and the traditional reliability indices are not suitable for modern networks. Flexible reliability (FR) is a new concept that considers the loads’ importance in the reliability evaluation of distribution grids. In this study, a novel comprehensive FR index is introduced for hybrid AC/DC networks. To determine the proposed index, power networks are modelled as a topological combination of edges and nodes. An axiomatic design concept which is a systematic binary matrix-based approach is then employed for topology analysis. The proposed index is based on the systematic counting of feasible paths from generators to loads, considering loads’ importance. The effectiveness of the proposed index is demonstrated through an illustrative example and IEEE 33-bus distribution system.