Probabilistic Assessment of Financial Losses in Distribution Network Due to Fault-Induced Process Interruptions Considering Process Immunity Time

Abstract

This paper introduces a stochastic methodology to assess annual performance of distribution network and individual customers with respect to voltage sags, long duration interruptions, equipment trips, and process trips. These values are then used to evaluate financial losses in the entire distribution network. For each of the large number of simulated faults throughout the network, a probability of sag and long duration interruption occurrences is evaluated at each network bus. The methodology then includes for the first time the concept of process immunity time in order to assess as accurately as possible the resulting financial loss due to process interruption. To increase the accuracy of the assessment of financial loss, the methodology also considers the possibility of equipment and process restart, reliability, and type of fault. The methodology is illustrated on a real distribution network and it shows that inclusion of PIT in financial loss assessment results in a reduction of about 25% in estimated financial loss.