Smart Grid Reliability Using Reliable Block Diagram Case Study: Adrar’s Isolated Network of Algeria

Abstract

Reliability is a key element in the design and planning of isolated power systems. The number of grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) and wind generators has increased rapidly in Algeria's isolated grids over the past decade. This rapid increase has an impact on the quality of the energy supplied. This document describes the work undertaken to assess the reliability of isolated grids integrating photovoltaic and wind generators. It presents the modelling of the reliability problem of a smart grid composed of repairable elements as well as the reliability evaluation using the reliability block diagram method (RBD). The increase in demand for electrical energy, insufficient investment in electrical system infrastructure and the penetration of renewable energy are the main factors that push engineers to operate electrical systems close to safety limits under difficult operational conditions, hence the importance of having decision-making support resources that meet their needs. Managers are looking for new reliability indicators to reduce electrical interruptions. In this work, we propose as a solution to this problem a new approach for assessing the reliability in each bus using the RBD method. The approach developed is then applied to the IEEE 9 buses test network and the isolated Adrar network in Algeria. The results obtained are encouraging.