Health Index Evaluation for Distribution Networks Based on Matter-Element Extension Method

The distribution network (DN) health index (HI) evaluation is a measure of the expected operation performance as a numerical value. It is an important task for improving asset management efficiency and comprehensive performance of DNs. Conventional HI evaluation methods of DNs either focused on partial performance metrics such as reliability and operation efficiency, or adopted methods such as the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and the evidence theory to obtain evaluation results that may be conflicted when dealing with multi-dimensional information. In result, the synthesized HI results are difficult to provide optimal guidance for operation management of DNs. In this paper, the HI evaluation is conducted based on the matter-element extension method considering multi-dimensional indicators. By using concepts of the classical domain, sectional domain and the elements in this method, the G1 algorithm and the CRITIC algorithm are used to calculate subjective and objective weights, respectively. Furthermore, the comprehensive correlation degree is calculated based on the principle of minimum discrimination. Case studies show that the applied solution is capable of assessing the multi-dimensional performances and providing valuable guidance for tracking DNs' operation management deficiencies.