Reliability evaluation of complex radial distribution systems considering restoration sequence and network constraints

This paper presents a technique for the reliability assessment of complex radial distribution systems considering restoration sequence and network constraints (NCs). In this technique, a distribution network is represented using a tree data structure to dynamically respond to the change of network topology induced by system reconfiguration. A parent-visit technique is proposed to determine the affected area after a failure occurs. A breadth-first-search approach is used to divide the affected load points into six classes based on restoration times. An improved branch-oriented load flow method is embedded in the reliability evaluation technique to examine NCs after network reconfiguration. An approach to control the accuracy and the computing time of simulation is also presented. A test distribution system is used to illustrate the technique.