System-level Maintenance Optimization for Power Distribution Systems Subjected to Hurricanes

Abstract

Overhead electric power distribution systems are vulnerable to extensive damage due to hurricanes. Most of the damage is caused by the failure of distribution poles, which are mostly wood poles. As a natural material, wood is susceptible to strength deterioration over time due to decay. As such, utility companies carry out preventive maintenance actions to minimize the likelihood of failure of the poles due to decay and extreme events (hurricanes). Due to the scarcity of resources for maintenance, an optimization approach to maintenance planning is necessary. Most utilities consider minimizing maintenance cost as the objective in their wood pole maintenance planning. However, due to increasing demand for higher system reliability, the consideration of cost alone in maintenance optimization is not adequate. This paper presents a maintenance optimization framework for power distribution systems under hurricane hazard considering system performance as the objective. Two maintenance strategies are explored: periodic chemical treatment and the use of fiber reinforced polymer (FRP). The distribution system of a virtual city assumed to be located in Florida is used to demonstrate the framework.