Value-based distribution reliability assessment and planning

This paper presents a reliability assessment method for radial distribution systems. It combines, the radial network reliability and the customer interruption costs to form the Value-Based Distribution Reliability Assessment (VBDRA) methodology, which is a valuable tool for distribution system planning incorporating customer interruption costs. The proposed method is implemented in a Lotus 1-2-3 macro program with a specially designed data structure for the radial network. The analysis of the proposed computational method shows that the method is valid and fast in practical applications. Various applications of VBDRA planning at the Scarborough Public Utilities are reported in the paper