This dissertation is a systematic study of electric power distribution system reliability evaluation and improvement. Reliability evaluation of electric power systems has traditionally been an integral part of planning and operation. Changes in the electric utility coupled with aging electric apparatus create a need for more realistic techniques for power system reliability modeling.; This work presents a reliability evaluation technique that combines set theory and Graph Trace Analysis (GTA). Unlike the traditional Markov approach, this technique provides a fast solution for large system reliability evaluation by managing computer memory efficiently with iterators, assuming a single failure at a time. A reconfiguration for restoration algorithm is also created to enhance the accuracy of the reliability evaluation, considering multiple concurrent failures. As opposed to most restoration simulation methods used in reliability analysis, which convert restoration problems into mathematical models and only can solve radial systems, this new algorithm seeks the reconfiguration solution from topology characteristics of the network itself. As a result the new reconfiguration algorithm can handle systems with loops.; In analyzing system reliability, this research takes into account time-varying load patterns, and seeks approaches that are financially justified. An exhaustive search scheme is used to calculate optimal locations for Distributed Generators (DG) from the reliability point of view. A Discrete Ascent Optimal Programming (DAOP) load shifting approach is proposed to provide low cost, reliability improvement solutions.; As weather conditions have an important effect on distribution component failure rates, the influence of different types of storms has been incorporated into this study. Storm outage models are created based on ten years' worth of weather and power outage data. An observer is designed to predict the number of outages for an approaching or on going storm. A circuit corridor model is applied to investigate the relationship between power outages and lightning activity.
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