Comprehensive risk based methodology and tool for a quantitative resilience assessment of distribution and transmission systems

Abstract

Extreme weather events may disrupt the transmission and distribution (T&D) network infrastructure, with consequent interruption of the power supply. Facing this issue requires in-depth analyses of the vulnerabilities of T&D components to natural threats, and deploying suitable measures to prevent the resulting - also multiple, dependent - contingencies. To this aim, the authors have developed a comprehensive methodology and tool, based on the risk concept, to assess the resilience of T&D networks as a whole. Simulations, performed on the model of a portion of the Italian T&D grid including two MV (Medium Voltage) feeders and a part of the surrounding transmission system in Aosta Valley, demonstrate the ability of the tool in identifying the critical components in presence of threats and in quantifying the resilience benefits brought by reinforcements (e.g. reconductoring) or operational solutions (e.g. reconfiguration of MV counterfeeds).