AMPL Based Optimization Tool for Reliability Assessment of Multi-Terminal HVDC Networks Using the Monte Carlo Method

The evaluation of the reliability of a power system is an imperative practice during the processes of planning, reconfiguration and scheduling. Deterministic approaches based on the N-1 criterion have been extensively applied. Due to the computational burdens, the use of stochastic analysis in large power systems was limited. If applied, simplifications had to be made. However, thanks to the now available high-performance computing stations, these limitations no longer exist. This paper proposes a methodology for the reliability assessment of high-voltage direct current multi-terminal grids. The energy not supplied that results from the failure of high-voltage DC-cables can be estimated using the Monte Carlo simulation method. The complete simulation procedure including the grid modelling, sampling and characterization of components' states and the calculation of reliability indexes was implemented in the software AMPL. The results of a first study case have shown how the reliability index, energy not supplied, calculated with proposed methodology, can support the decision process while planning a MT-HVDC grid.