This training course is suitable for a wide range of professionals that need to have an intermediate level of knowledge for power system analysis and probabilistic theory. These include:

• Professionals of electric power utilities, system operators (Independent System Operators – ISOs, Regional Transmission Operators – RTOs, Transmission System Operators - TSOs)
• Professionals of regulation authorities
• Professionals of large industrial and commercial companies
• Power system consultants
• Researchers and post-graduate students of universities

The general trend in modern power systems is to increase competition in order to achieve better performance and efficiency in electricity production, transmission, and distribution. In the modern electric energy market, the role of power systems becomes more important due to the existing competition issues.

The reliability performance of power systems together with the reliability indices of service supplied to system customers constitute major aspects that are taken into account in the system planning and operating phases. Therefore, there is a need for planning and operating considerations that must be followed by the power system operators, energy suppliers and customers in order to assure that they will be able to operate reliably and safely together.

All the above aspects need a probabilistic modelling and evaluation assessment since the existing deterministic criteria and standards cannot simulate realistically all the existing features of power systems and their customers. The objective of the training course in Dubai is to describe the most important areas that need probabilistic modelling and evaluation assessment. This training course will feature:

• State of the art knowledge of the available computational methods
• Efficient computational methods that can be applied for the analysis of the respective reliability problems (analytical techniques, simulation approaches)
• Description of the appropriate sets of reliability indices that need to be calculated
• Presentation of application examples by using practical power systems and case studies
• Important conclusions concerning the necessary procedures and practices for the planning and operation of Power Systems in the competitive market environment

By the end of this training course, participants will be able to:

• Determine the most important areas of power systems that need probabilistic modelling and evaluation assessment
• Understand the main features of the computational methods that are available for the reliability modelling
• Understand the main reliability indices that need be calculated for the quantification of load point and system performance
• Carry out practical reliability assessment studies
• Compare and justify alternative schemes for power system reinforcement

This training course will utilize a variety of proven adult learning techniques to ensure maximum understanding, comprehension, and retention of the information presented. These mainly include appropriate PowerPoint slides that have efficiently been developed in order to contain all the necessary information being required for the complete knowledge of the respective theoretical and practical subjects. Appropriate examples are also given so that the main points of each topic are better understood. A set of notes containing all the slides of the presentations will be available together with an extended list of references (books, papers, technical reports, etc).

Day One: General Aspects

• Introduction
• Basic principles of probabilistic modelling and  reliability evaluation methods
• Power system challenges and main issues for planning purposes
• Analytical  computational techniques
• Simulation computational approaches
• Reliability criteria and indices
• Reliability parameters for power system components

Day Two: Transmission System Assessment

• Reliability modelling of power transmission systems
• Application of analytical computational techniques
• Total and partial loss of continuity criteria
• Reliability indices of  load points and system performance indices
• Reliability cost assessment
• Application of simulation computational approaches 

Day Three: Generation System Assessment

• Reliability modelling of power generation systems
• Modelling of various generating units (thermal, hydroelectric, etc) and load demand requirements
• Frequency and duration method
• Application of analytical computational techniques
• System reliability indices
• Application of simulation approaches 

Day Four: Assessment of Composite Generation and Transmission Systems

• Reliability modelling of composite generation and transmission systems
• Application of analytical computational techniques
• Reliability indices of  load points and system performance indices
• Reliability cost assessment
• Application of simulation computational approaches 

Day Five: Distribution System Assessment

• Reliability modelling of power distribution systems
• Application of analytical computational techniques
• Reliability indices of  load points and customers
• System performance indices
• Reliability cost assessment
• Application of simulation computational approaches