Print this page Electric Utility Distribution Reliability Management
Lee Layton, P.E.
Course Outline
The course begins with a broad overview of electric system reliability in the United States and covers the different ways that reliability is measured from both the utility and the customer’s prospective. Chapter 2 describes many of the reliability indices found in IEEE 1366© including formulas and explanations of the use of the indices. Chapter 3 describes exceptions such as “major event days” and Chapter 4 gives example calculations using the indices. The remainder of the course is focused on practical actions and management approaches to improving and maintaining an acceptable level of reliability.
This course includes a multiple-choice quiz at the end, which is designed to enhance the understanding of the course materials.
Learning Objective
After taking this course you should,
- Understand the current status of distribution electric reliability in the US;
- Be able to define electric system reliability;
- Know the differences between “outages” and interruptions;
- Know how electric reliability is measured;
- Understand which indices are system; customer; or load related;
- Know how to calculate SAIDI;
- Be able to explain the differences between SAIDI; CAIDI; and SAIFI;
- Understand which indices are needed for certain situations;
- Be able to calculate major event day exceptions;
- Be able to explain the leading causes of distribution outages;
- Understand how vegetation management impacts reliability;
- Know how to set goals for some of the leading causes of outages;
- Know how to use management concepts to ensure continued reliability;
- Be able to explain FDIR; and
- Be able to explain how power quality impacts reliability.
Intended Audience
This course is intended for electrical engineers and others who want to understand how distribution electric service reliability is calculated and managed.
Benefit to Attendees
Consumers expect a high degree of reliability from their power supplier. This course gives the reader adequate knowledge to be able to understand the concepts of reliability, how it is measured, how it can be managed and practical steps utilities may take to improve reliability.
Course Introduction
The United States has one of the most robust and reliable electric grids in the world and electric customers in the United States can expect to experience less than two outages per year for a total outage time of slightly less than two hours out of an 8,760 hour year.
In recent years, many consumer advocates and regulatory bodies have expressed concern that the reliability of the electric delivery system is being compromised due to an increased focus on competition and profitability. Many states have passed, or are in the process of passing legislation and/or approving regulations intended to refocus attention on maintaining and improving reliability. As time goes on, these laws and/or rules are expected to become more structured and pervasive.
One ingredient in maintaining and improving reliability is the development of a consistent set of reliability indices that may be used to measure, report and compare reliability. To date, most industry effort in this regard has addressed the measuring and indexing of total system reliability. The Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE), for example, has developed a reliability guideline (IEEE1366) that standardizes the calculation of reliability indices for electric utility systems.
The course explains how electric system reliability is measured at the distribution level and describes ways that utilities may increase system reliability.
Course Content
This course content is in the following PDF document:
Electric Utility Distribution Reliability Management
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Course Summary
In addition to good customer service and reasonable rates electric service customers expect a high degree of reliability. This course has explained how electric reliability is defined, measured, and attained at the distribution level. The reliability indices discussed in the course are widely used by electric utilities in the United States as a common language of reliability. This course has also provided basic steps that utilities may undertake to improve electric reliability service.
Quiz
Once you finish studying the above course content, you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.
DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDH Center or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered architect and/or professional engineer/surveyor. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.
