This paper shows a new hybrid method for risk assessment regarding interruptions in sensitive processes due to faults in electric power distribution systems. This method determines indices related to long duration interruptions and short duration voltage variations, such as voltage sags and swells in each customer supplied by the distribution network. Frequency of such occurrences and their impact on customer processes are determined for each bus and classified according to their corresponding magnitude and duration. The method bases on information regarding network configuration, system parameters and protective devices and randomly generates a number of fault scenarios to assess risk areas regarding long duration interruptions and voltage sags and swells. Based on process sensitivity curves, the method determines frequency indices regarding disruption in customer processes that represent possible process interruptions due to the considered short duration events to eventually determine the associated annual costs.
Distribution networks; power quality; voltage sags; voltage swells; simulation methods
