# Reliability assessment of microgrid with renewable generation and prioritized loads

**Authors:** O. A. Ansari, N. Safar, C. Y. Chung  
**arXiv:** [1709.07970](https://arxiv.org/abs/1709.07970)  
**Date:** 2017-09-22  
**Summary page:** https://www.summarizepaper.com/en/paper/1709.07970v1/

## Key points

- The paper focuses on reliability assessment of microgrids with renewable generation and prioritized loads
- Microgrids are key components of smart grids and allow for integration of distributed energy resources (DER)
- A hybrid analytical-simulation method is proposed to evaluate the reliability of microgrids with distributed RES
- Results show enhanced reliability in the presence of microgrid topology, especially for highest priority load
- Sensitivity analysis is performed to understand effects of microgrid islanding failure
- Methodology is applied to a modified version of a distribution system connected to bus 5 of Roy Billinton test system
- Detailed information provided on solar output power calculations and reliability indices used for evaluating customer load points in a distribution system
- Study contributes valuable insights into assessing and enhancing the reliability of microgrids with renewable generation and prioritized loads.

## Summary

This paper focuses on the reliability assessment of microgrids with renewable generation and prioritized loads. With the increasing awareness about climate change, there has been a significant shift towards utilizing renewable energy sources (RES). Smart grid technologies have emerged as a solution to facilitate higher penetration of RES, and microgrids are key components of smart grids. Microgrids allow for the integration of various distributed energy resources (DER), such as distributed generation (DGs) and energy storage systems (ESSs), into the distribution system. This integration helps remove or delay the need for distribution expansion. However, it is crucial to ensure that system reliability is maintained with the inclusion of microgrid topology. To evaluate the reliability of a microgrid containing prioritized loads and distributed RES, this paper proposes a hybrid analytical-simulation method. The stochasticity of RES introduces complexity to reliability evaluation, which is addressed by taking into account the variability of RES through Monte-Carlo state sampling simulation. The results indicate that the overall system experiences enhanced reliability in the presence of microgrid topology. Specifically, the highest priority load shows the largest improvement in reliability indices. Additionally, sensitivity analysis is performed to understand the effects of microgrid islanding failure in case of a fault in the upstream network. In terms of methodology, this paper applies its proposed method to a modified version of a distribution system connected to bus 5 of the Roy Billinton test system. It also provides detailed information on solar output power calculations and reliability indices used for evaluating customer load points in a distribution system. Overall, this study contributes valuable insights into assessing and enhancing the reliability of microgrids with renewable generation and prioritized loads. Such assessments are essential for utilities aiming to maintain reliable power supply while integrating RES into their systems.