Focusing on power systems reliability and generating unit commitments, which are essential in the design and evaluation of the electric power systems for planning, control, and operation, this informative volume covers the concepts of basic reliability engineering, such as power system spinning reserve, types of load curves and their objectives and benefits, the electric power exchange, and the system operation constraints. The author explains how the probability theory plays an important role in reliability applications and discusses the probability applications in electric power systems that led to the development of the mathematical models that are illustrated in the book. The algorithms that are presented throughout the chapters will help researchers and engineers to implement their own suitable programs where needed and will also be valuable for students. The Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) and Fuzzy Logic (FL) systems are discussed and a number of load estimation models are built for some cases, where their formulas are developed. A number of developed models are presented, including the Kronecker techniques, Fourth-Order Runge-Kutta, System Multiplication Method, or Adams Method; and components with different connections and different distributions are presented. A number of examples are explained showing how to build and evaluate power plants.

The importance of power system reliability is demonstrated when our electricity supply is disrupted, whether it decreases the comfort of our free time at home or causes the shutdown of our companies and results in huge economic deficits. The objective of Assessment of Power System Reliability is to contribute to the improvement of power system reliability. It consists of six parts divided into twenty chapters. The first part introduces the important background issues that affect power system reliability. The second part presents the reliability methods that are used for analyses of technical systems and processes. The third part discusses power flow analysis methods, because the dynamic aspect of a power system is an important part of related reliability assessments. The fourth part explores various aspects of the reliability assessment of power systems and their parts. The fifth part covers optimization methods. The sixth part looks at the application of reliability and optimization methods. Assessment of Power System Reliability has been written in straightforward language that continues into the mathematical representation of the methods. Power engineers and developers will appreciate the emphasis on practical usage, while researchers and advanced students will benefit from the simple examples that can facilitate their understanding of the theory behind power system reliability and that outline the procedure for application of the presented methods.

This book presents essential methods and tools for research into the reliability of energy systems. It describes in detail the content setting, formalisation, and use of algorithms for assessing the reliability of modern, large, and complex electric power systems. The book uses a wealth of tables and illustrations to represent results and source information in a clear manner. It discusses the main operating conditions which affect the reliability of electric power systems, and describes corresponding computing tools which can help solve issues as they arise. Further, all methodologies presented here are demonstrated in numerical examples. Though primarily intended for researchers and practitioners in the field of electric power systems, the book will also benefit general readers interested in this area.

In response to new developments in the field, practical teaching experience, and readers' suggestions, the authors of the warmly received Reliablity Evaluation of Engineering Systems have updated and extended the work-providing extended coverage of fault trees and a more complete examination of probability distribution, among other things-without disturbing the original's concept, structure, or style.

We are very pleased to be asked to co-author this book for a variety of reasons, one of which was that it gave us further opportunity to work together. The scope proposed was very wide with the only significant proviso being that the book should be in a mongraph-style and not a teaching text. This require ment has given us the opportunity to compile a wide range of relevant material relating to present-day knowledge and application in power system reliability. As many readers will be aware, we have collaborated in many ways over a relatively long period and have co-authored two other books on reliability evaluation. Both of these previous books were structured as teaching texts. This present book is not a discourse on "how to do reliability evaluation" but a discussion on "why it should be done and what can be done and achieved" and as such does not replace or conflict with the previous books. The three books are complementary and each enhances the others. The material contained in this book is not specifically original since it is based on information which we have published in other forms either jointly or as co authors with various other people, particularly our many research students. We sincerely acknowledge the important contributions made by all these students and colleagues. There are too many to mention individually in this preface but their names appear frequently in the references at the end of each chapter.

The volume presents the research work in understanding, modeling and quantifying the risks associated with different ways of implementing smart grid technology in power systems in order to plan and operate a modern power system with an acceptable level of reliability. Power systems throughout the world are undergoing significant changes creating new challenges to system planning and operation in order to provide reliable and efficient use of electrical energy. The appropriate use of smart grid technology is an important drive in mitigating these problems and requires considerable research activities, some of which (by researchers from academia and industry) are included in this volume: the reliability appraisal of smart grid technologies and their applications, micro-grids, assessment of plug-in hybrid vehicles and the system effects, smart system protection and reliability evaluation, demand response and smart maintenance of power system equipment.

Initial material for this book was developed over a period of several years through the introduction in the mid-seventies of a graduate-level course en titled, "Control and Operation of Interconnected Power Systems," at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Subsequent involvement with the utility industry and in teaching continuing education courses on modern power sys tem control and operation contributed to the complimentary treatment of the dynamic aspects of this overall topic. In effect, we have evolved a textbook that provides a thorough under standing of fudamentals as needed by a graduate student with a prior back ground in power systems analysis at the undergraduate level, and in system theory concepts normally provided at the beginning of the graduate level in electrical engineering. It is also designed to provide the depth needed both by the serious graduate student and the power industry engineer involved in the activities of energy control centers and short-term operations planning. As explained in Chapter 2, the entire book can be covered in a two quarter course sequence. The bulk of the material may be covered in one semester. For a two-semester offering, we recommend that students be in volved in some project work to further their depth of understanding. Utility and consulting industry engineers should concentrate on the more advanced concepts and developments usually available at the latter half of each chap ter.