What is Solar Irradiance

This chapter presents the different dynamics in power system reliability as a result of the intrinsic behavior of distributed renewable energy sources. The output power of distributed renewable energy sources depends on the amount of available respective resource at any given time. This output power generally experiences fluctuations when compared with the output of conventional power generation units. The phenomenon is not usually included in traditional reliability worth evaluation methods for power system networks with distributed generation. In this chapter, a reliability worth evaluation model for power system networks with time-dependent distributed renewable generation resources is presented and analyzed. Time sequential Monte Carlo simulation technique is used, and the operational efficiency of the distributed generation unit is measured using the primary reliability worth index, ECOST. The derived index is fitted to a beta distribution function to show the inherent skewness of the supply reliability worth index.