Distribution System In-Depth Causal Reliability Assessment

The methodology used to assess the historical reliability performance of a Canadian Utility´s electric distribution system is outlined. Included is an overview of the process used to collect and organize the required interruption data as well as a description of the performance indices calculated for use in the causal assessment. The various component parts of the reliability performance assessment are described. This includes a description of indices comparison between years and to the average at different levels of the system and by outage cause and component failure. Finally, results from the 2004 reliability´ assessment of the utility´s electric distribution system are summarized and the application of the calculated performance statistics in planning, operating and maintaining distribution systems is described