Reliability Assessment for Distribution Systems with Embedded Microgrids

TL;DR

This paper evaluates how microgrids with renewable energy and storage can enhance the reliability of distribution systems, using a Monte Carlo simulation-based assessment tool on the IEEE 33-bus network.

Contribution

It extends a reliability assessment tool to incorporate microgrid interactions, demonstrating their positive impact on distribution system reliability through simulations.

Findings

Microgrids improve distribution system reliability.

Support from microgrids is statistically significant.

The extended tool effectively models microgrid interactions.

Abstract

The electrical distribution system is moving toward a more decentralized, complex, and dynamic system. The system is experiencing a higher penetration of distributed energy resources, flexible resources, and active end-users, leading to an active distribution system. If these components are used actively, they can have a positive effect on the distribution system's reliability. This paper aims to investigate how a microgrid with renewable energy sources and energy storage might influence the reliability of electricity supply in a radially operated distribution system. The reliability is investigated from both the distribution system and the microgrid perspective with the application of different scenarios. The study includes an extensive sensitivity analysis. In this study, we use our developed reliability assessment tool for distribution networks. The tool is an open available software where the example network and datasets are embedded. The reliability assessment tool is based on Monte Carlo simulations where load flow calculations are included to capture the behavior of the system and system components. In this paper, the reliability tool is extended to include microgrids and microgrid controller opportunities that handle interaction strategies with the distribution network. The model is demonstrated on the IEEE 33-bus network. The result is confirmed through statistical testing showing the statistical significance of providing support from the microgrid on the distribution system's reliability.