Assessment of remote controlled sectionalizers effects on power restoration processes of the distribution

Abstract: The Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) have to ensure that electricity is supplied to customers according to voltage quality and power reliability requirements. The SAIDI (System Average Interruption Duration Index) is a performance index commonly used to measure reliability which expresses the average outage duration for each customer served. When an outage occurs on the distribution grid, remote controlled sectionalizers (RCS) are operated to enhance the restoration of power by sectionalizing the medium voltage (MV) grid before repairing the line. By analyzing data of outages, considering the frequency, the duration and the size of outages, statistical methods can be outlined to identify MV-lines where RCS investments may have significant improvements on reliability. To assess reliability improvements, RCS investment costs are compared to failure costs by setting an outage price through the cost of energy not served (ENS).