Aging and failure data supporting network usage tariff calculation

With the emergence of distributed and household power generation, the network usage tariffs based on the net energy consumption are becoming more and more unsuitable to express the real value of the service provided by the network operator. Assets are aging and are subjected to external overstresses even when in standby. Novel load patterns, e.g., due to electric vehicle charging, may cause accelerated aging.Accordingly, operators are seeking methods to calculate the real costs associated with asset aging and failures, which can be the basis of fair and realistic network usage tariffs. In this article, a methodology is proposed for such calculation for selected distribution network components. It considers standby aging, insulation life models and statistics of random failures and external overstresses for medium voltage buried cables, overhead line conductors and transformers.The method enables the estimation of the life consumption rate and other associated costs at any operational state, which can be the basis of tariff calculation.