Stochastic Planning and Operational Constraint Assessment of System-Customer Power Supply Risks in Electricity Distribution Networks
, Ignacio Hernando-Gil 2, Jonathan Serugunda 1, Jane Namaganda-Kiyimba 1 and Mike Brian Ndawula 3
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
The article deals with theoretical considerations on the failure probability of networks and network components. In view of the very volatile grids, the question is very important, but in the context treated here, it remains more theoretical and abstract. The topic is dealt with mathematically and economically. A technical perspective is missing. A risk and reliability modeling is described. The importance of the form factors to the mathematical model are discussed and described. Conclusions are discussed and drawn.
REMARKS
Figure 2, 7, 11 exceeds the margin settings.
Author Response
Response 1: We thank Reviewer 1 for the constructive feedback and agree that the technical applicability of the work can be improved. Although there are limitations regarding the availability of detailed data on power components such as their failure, repair, maintenance schedules, and how operational violations affect them, this research utilised real reliability data for all power components in the test network, which are representative of the realistic behaviour of these components in typical distribution networks. Additionally, the research proposes not only a mathematical model but also a comprehensive simulation of sustained outages in a realistic distribution network, considering all the technical issues at the time of assessing the reliability and economic performance of the system. These include violations of operational limits as well as maintenance actions. This is now clarified in the revised manuscript, Section 3.1, page 11 (lines 388 - 392)
Moreover, the methodology utilised for risk and reliability modelling in this paper uses relative reliability indices which are more robust because system behaviour is evaluated before and after the consideration of a network operating change (scenario). This means that there is high confidence in the relative differences between the indices since uncertainties in data and system requirements are embedded in all network scenarios. Accordingly, the impact of operational actions can be accurately quantified. This is now emphasised in the revised manuscript, Section 2.1, page 6 (lines 168-173).
In future work, this analysis can be expanded for a larger network while incorporating more technical factors such as more individualised component lifetimes based on manufacturer specifications and utility data, and location-based overloading violations that account for security-constrained economic dispatch, among others. This is now clarified in the revised manuscript, Section 5, page 20 (lines 723-726).
Point 2: Remarks; Figure 2, 7, 11 exceeds the margin settings.
Response 2: We thank Reviewer 1 for this observation and have fitted Figures 2, 7 and 11 (on pages 8, 16 and 19 respectively) within the margins as per the journal template.
Author Response File: 
Author Response.docx
Reviewer 2 Report
The manuscript is excellently written with clear structure and clear findings.
Author Response
Point 1: The manuscript is excellently written with clear structure and clear findings.
Response 1: We thank Reviewer 2 for the positive feedback.
Author Response File: Author Response.docx
