I.

Introduction
Quality of service is an increasingly important issue in power distribution as competitive markets proliferate
and financial regulations diminish [1]. Additional to this, regulatory body imposes penalties and rewards to
distribution utilities (DUs) based on their performances in terms of different aspects and one is technical reliability
[2]
. Reliability is defined as the probability that a system will function continuously to provide service to
consumers in a specified time and environment [3]. One way to evaluate a distribution systems reliability is to
use reliability indices while the target value varies among distribution utilities and countries. Each regulatory
body provides rules and guidelines to DUs covered by its jurisdiction to monitor the distribution systems
reliability. Evaluating the reliability of a system is significant to determine appropriate measures for improvement
thereby increasing customers satisfaction.

II. Reliability Indices and Standards in Different Countries

Pacific Economics Group Research (PEGR), an association active in the fields of litigation and utility
regulation, conducted a survey on reliability of distribution systems in different countries. The countries included in
the survey are Canada, US states, European countries, and Australian provinces. This survey presented the reliability
indices, considerations, as well as benchmark values used by different distribution authority in each country [1].

US Distribution System

There are different distribution utilities in each US jurisdiction. Each jurisdiction uses reliability indicators,
way of normalizing exceptional events, and benchmark or target value for each indicator. Table I shows the reliability
indicators as well as its target value set by some distribution authority in US [1].

Table I. Reliability indices and benchmark used by DUs in US [1].

US Jurisdiction Distribution Utilities Reliability Indices Benchmark

California Pacific Gas & Electric SAIDI & SAIFI SAIDI = 157
SAIFI= 1.24
Southern California SAIDI, SAIFI, MAIFI SAIDI=56
Edison SAIFI=1.07
MAIFI=1.26
San Diego Gas & SAIDI, SAIFI, SAIDET SAIDI= 68 +/- 2
Electric SAIFI= 0.61 +/- 0.02
SAIDET= 34
Colorado Black Hills/Colorado SAIDI SAIDI = 101
Electric
Utility (Aquila)
D.C Pepco SAIDI, SAIFI, CAIDI SAIDI= 291
SAIFI= 1.18
CAIDI= 291
Delaware Delmarva Power & SAIDI SAIDI = 295
Light
Idaho Scottish Power- SAIDI & SAIFI SAIDI <= 30.5
Pacificorp SAIFI <= 0.297
Indiana Duke Energy SAIDI, SAIFI, CAIDI SAIDI = 175
SAIFI = 1.65
CAIDI = 115
Louisiana All utilities SAIDI & SAIFI SAIDI = 172.2
SAIFI = 2.28
Maine Central Maine Power SAIFI, CAIDI CAIDI = 130.8
SAIFI =1.89
Minnesota Xcel (Northern SAIDI & SAIFI SAIDI = 98
States) SAIFI = 1
Otter Tail Company SAIDI, SAIFI, CAIDI SAIDI = 74
SAIFI = 1.3
 CAIDI = 56.92
New York Rochester Gas & SAIFI & CAIDI CAIDI = 114
Electric SAIFI = 0.9
Con Edison (Network SAIFI, CAIDI CAIDI = 224.4
type) SAIFI = 0.015
Con Edison (Radial SAIFI, CAIDI CAIDI = 111
type) SAIFI = 0.015
Niagara Mohawk SAIFI, CAIDI CAIDI = 124.2
SAIFI = 0.93
Central Hudson Gas SAIFI, CAIDI CAIDI = 150
& Electric SAIFI = 0.93
Orange & Rockland SAIFI, CAIDI CAIDI = 102
SAIFI = 1.10
Oregon Portland General SAIDI, SAIFI, CAIDI, MAIFI SAIDI = 79.8
Electric SAIFI = 1
MAIFI = 3
CAIDI = 120
Vermont Central Vermont SAIFI, CAIDI SAIFI = 2.5
Public Service CAIDI = 210
Green Mountain SAIFI, CAIDI SAIFI = 1.7
Power CAIDI = 132
Utah Rocky Mountain SAIDI, SAIFI SAIDI = 217
Power SAIFI = 2.21
(PacifiCorp Utah)
Washington Puget Sound Energy SAIDI, SAIFI SAIDI = 136
SAIFI = 1.30
*SAIDI in minutes
*SAIFI in number of interruptions
*CAIDI in minutes
*MAIFI Momentary Average Interruptions Frequency Index

Each distribution utility set a way to normalize exceptional events. Most of them follow the standard provided
by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). Some considers major events like storms or weather
events that are more destructive than normal patterns. Another event considered is the one which results to state of
emergency being declared by the government or events that affect more than 15% of the systems facilities or 10% of
the utilitys customers. Based on the report of PEGR, 37 US states use SAIFI while 32 uses SAIDI. Among the states
that uses SAIFI, SAIDI, and CAIDI, 11 uses both SAIDI and SAIFI while 5 states report SAIFI and CAIDI and 22
states uses SAIDI, SAIFI, and CAIDI [1].

Canada Distribution System

Similar to US distribution system, Canada is also composed of various distribution utilities. Each distribution
utility reports reliability indices and some establish a target value for each standard. Table II present a summary of
reliability indices and benchmark used by each distribution utility [1].

Table II. Reliability indices and benchmark used by DUs in Canada [1].

Jurisdiction Distribution utilities Indicators Benchmark

Alberta All utilities except Enmax SAIDI, SAIFI, CAIDI No explicit benchmarks,
however, reported
indicators are compared
to prior year
performance
Enmax SAIFI & SAIDI SAIDI = 30
SAIFI = 1
 British Columbia BC Hydro SAIFI, CAIDI, CEMI-4 No regulatory benchmark
Fortis BC SAIFI & SAIDI SAIDI = 215.4 (including
major events)
SAIDI = 144 (excluding
major events)
SAIFI = 3.19 (including
major events)
SAIDI = 2.17 (excluding
major events)

Newfoundland & Newfoundland SAIFI & SAIDI No explicit benchmarks,

Labrador Hydro however, reported
indicators are compared
to a composite of CEA
member companies
Yukon Territory All SAIDI, SAIFI, CAIDI, No explicit benchmarks,
Index of however, reported
Reliability indicators are compared
to a composite of CEA
member companies
Prince Edward Maritime electric SAIDI, SAIFI, CAIDI, SAIDI = 360-540
Island Service level index (including major events)
SAIDI = 300-420
(excluding major events)
SAIFI = 4-7 (including
major events)
SAIFI = 4-6 (excluding
major events)
CAIDI = 90-210
(including major events)
CAIDI = 60-180
(excluding major events)
Target service level of
99% with a minimum of
99.7%.

*SAIDI in minutes
*SAIFI in number of interruptions
*CAIDI in minutes

Table II does not represent all distribution utility in Canada but according to the survey, Yukon territory
together with four provinces evaluate using SAIDI and SAIFI. On the other hand, three jurisdictions together with
Yukon territory uses CAIDI. Three jurisdiction report SAIDI and SAIFI, another three report SAIDI, SAIFI, and
CAIDI while only one province uses SAIDI and CAIDI [1].

Europe Distribution System

Table III shows the different European countries as well as their distribution utilities. Also presented are the
reliability indices and benchmark values used by each county.

Table III. Reliability indices and benchmark used by DUs in European countries [1].
 Jurisdiction Distribution Utilities Indicators Benchmark
Lithuania 7 Distribution Network SAIDI, SAIFI, MAIFI None
Operators (DNOs)
2 regional utilities
5 local utilities
The Netherlands 9 Regional Network SAIDI The average SAIDI of all
Operators regional network
operators over M years
prior to the current
regulatory period, where
M is the length of the
current regulatory period.
Norway 7 main Distribution SAIDI, SAIFI, CAIDI, "Expected total
System CTAIDI (Customer total interruption" calculated
Operators (DSOs) average interruption from a
duration index), regression model
CAIFI, ENS
Poland 14 Distribution System SAIDI, SAIFI, MAIFI None
Operators (DSOs)
Portugal The main Distribution SAIDI, SAIFI, TIEPI Energy Not Supplied
Distribution Operator & (Interruption Time (ENS) Reference =
10 other Equivalent to Installed 0.0004 x ES (Energy
small DSOs Capacity) supplied in the year)
Romania 35 Distribution Operators SAIDI, SAIFI, ENS, AIT None
(8 of
which are major)
Slovenia 5 Distribution Companies SAIDI, SAIFI None
(run
by 1 distribution system
operator)
Spain 5 Distribution System TIEPI, NIEPI (Equivalent benchmark for each
Operators number of reliability measure for
interruptions related to the urban, semi-urban, rural
installed capacity) and scatter rural
areas
Sweden 174 Electricity Network SAIDI, SAIFI, ENS, AIT "Expected total
Companies interruption" computed
using
a Network Performance
Assessment Model
(PAM)

Based on the report, 16 countries use SAIFI while SAIDI is used by 14 jurisdictions. SAIDI and SAIFI is
utilized by 13 jurisdictions while the combination of SAIDI and CAIDI is not being used. Two countries use SAIDI,
SAIFI, and CAIDI. Energy Not Supplied (ENS) is also used by other countries especially for charging penalties and
awards [1].

Australia Distribution System

Similar to other countries discussed above, Australia is also composed of various distribution utilities. Each
distribution utility reports reliability indices and some establish a target value for each standard. Table IV present a
summary of reliability indices and benchmark used by each distribution utility [1].

Table IV. Reliability indices and benchmark used by DUs in Australia [1].
Jurisdiction Distribution Utilities Indicators Benchmark
Australian Capital All utilities Unplanned SAIDI, None
Territory Unplanned
SAIFI, MAIFI
New South Wales All utilities Unplanned SAIDI, None
Unplanned
SAIFI, MAIFI
Northern Territory All utilities SAIDI Darwin: 219.9
Katherine: 401.0
Tenant creek: 411.0
Alice springs: 108.0
SAIFI Darwin: 4.2
Katherine: 9.6
Tenant creek: 9.8
Alice springs: 2.9
CAIDI Darwin: 52.0
Katherine: 42.0
Tenant creek: 41.8
Alice springs: 37.2
Queensland All utilities SAIDI CBD: 15
Urban: 106
Short Rural: 218
SAIFI CBD: 0.15
Urban: 1.26
Short Rural: 2.46
South Australia All utilities unplanned SAIDI Adelaide Business Area:
25
Major Metropolitan
Areas: 115
All other areas: range
between 240 and 450
unplanned SAIFI Adelaide Business Area:
0.3
Major Metropolitan
Areas: 1.40
All other areas: range
between 2.1 and 3.3
Tasmania All utilities SAIDI (planned and Critical Infrastructure: 30
unplanned) High Density
Commercial: 60
Urban and Regional
Centres: 120
High Density Rural: 480
Lower Density Rural: 600
SAIFI (planned and Critical Infrastructure: 0.2
unplanned) High Density
Commercial: 1
Urban and Regional
Centres: 2
High Density Rural: 4
Lower Density Rural: 6
MAIFI None
CAIDI (planned and None
unplanned)
 Victoria
Western Australia
New Zealand
*SAIDI in minutes
*SAIFI in number of interruptions
*CAIDI in minutes
All utilities SAIDI (unplanned Urban: 73.0; Rural: 113.0
outages only)
SAIFI (unplanned outages Urban: 1.27; Rural: 2.25
only)
MAIFI Urban: 0.8; Rural: 2.6
SAIDI (planned outages Urban: 6.0; Rural: 14.0
only)
SAIFI (planned outages Urban: 0.03; Rural: 0.08
only)
Western Power SAIDI CBD: 38; Urban: 162;
Rural Short: 253; Rural
Long: 588
SAIFI CBD: 0.24; Urban: 1.89;
Rural Short: 3.06; Rural
Long: 4.85
All utilities SAIDI, SAIFI Varies by company but
benchmarks based on
average performance
between 2004
and 2009

It can be observed on Table IV that there are jurisdictions which categorizes the indices into subcomponents.
There can be an index for planned outages and unplanned outages. Additional to this, the benchmark values for each
index varies based on type of area (Western Australia & Northern Territory), region (South Australia), feeder type etc.
Based on the report, all states use both SAIFI and CAIDI [1].
In other countries, incentive schemes are established to award utilities with indices going beyond the
benchmark value and penalized those who go below the target value set by the regulatory body.

III. Distribution System Reliability Evaluation in the Philippines

A. Rules and Regulations/Guidelines

ERC resolution No. 12 Series of 2006 adopts the guidelines for monitoring reliability standards in distribution
utilities (DUs). As per section 1.2 of this resolution the general obligations of distribution utilities were defined. It
states that each DU should take necessary actions to avoid and prevent service interruptions. In case of interruptions,
service must be restored within the shortest possible time. To assure safety and minimize number and durations of
service interruption, the resolution demands distribution system to be designed and operated with enough protection.
Additional to this, the DU must keep the most recent 5 year records and reports of service interruptions on its
distribution system. With these records, the DUs must conduct an analysis to determine steps in minimizing the
frequency and duration of occurrences of interruptions [3].

B. Indices
According to the Philippine Distribution Code (PDC), SAIFI, SAIDI, CAIDI, MAIFI are the indices that
must be imposed in all DUs. SAIFI or system average interruption frequency index is the average number of
interruptions per customer served per year. SAIDI or system average interruption duration index is the average
duration of interruption per customer served per year. CAIDI or customer average interruption duration index is the
average interruption duration of customers interrupted per year. This represents the average time required to restore
the service. MAIFI is momentary average interruption frequency index which represents the average number of
momentary interruptions. Momentary interruption is a situation of zero voltage of a component that lasts not more
than five minutes [4].

C. Data Requirements
 As per ERC resolution No. 12 series 2006, all distribution utilities must submit reports which contains the
computed reliability indices. The reports must also include starting date and time of interruption, location of outages
(town/city/Barangay/Subdivision), circuit number, number of affected customers, service account number or other
unique identifier of each customer affected, cause of interruption, weather condition at the time of interruption, date
and time of restoration, isolation device, and equipment that failed. The report must also include computation of the
average minutes of interruption per customer due to causes which can be categorize as power supplier, major storm
disaster, scheduled, etc. Power supplier includes interruptions due to scheduled or unscheduled outages on lines or
substations owned by Transco. Major storm disaster consists of service interruptions from conditions due to numerous
simultaneous outages brought by typhoons that exceed design assumptions for the lines. The category scheduled
represents the outages due to maintenance operation on distribution transformer, line, or distributor owned substation.
Other causes may include emergency conditions due to equipment breakdown, malfunction, or human error. Figure I
show the template of reliability reports prepared by ERC to be used by DUs [3].
It is also stated in the resolution that each distribution utility must have an automated outage management
system (OMS) or electronic database that will contain the history of sustained electric service interruptions
experienced by each customer. The information must be categorized according to affected town or cities, Barangay or
Subdivision, substation, circuit number, service account number. This data must be presented together with the number
of interruptions in reporting period and duration of interruptions in reporting period [3].

D. Reporting/ Submission
The PDC stated that DUs must submit monthly interruption reports for its distribution system every three
months. This report must be submitted on or before the end of the month following the quarter. The report must follow
the standard format prescribed by ERC shown in Figure I. It must be in electronic copy using a Portable Document
Format (PDF) or any other format that cannot be changed. PDC also stated that ERC must set the performance target
for each distribution system after notice or hearing [4]. Based on ERC resolution 12 series of 2006, performance target
for each DU for the initial year must be set using the average of the complete four-year historical data. For the
succeeding years, each DU must set its own annual performance target [3].
 z

Figure I. Reliability report template prescribed by ERC [3].

E. Standards
Based on PDC, ERC must impose uniform recording and reporting system of reliability performance in DUs.
The same reliability indices must be used for all DUs but target values must depend on each DUs historical
performance. DUs must be grouped according to load density, sales mix, cost of service, delivery voltage, and other
technical aspects set by ERC [4]. The performance of each distribution system must be compared to its target annually.
As per National Electrification Administration (NEA) memorandum no. 2013-005 the SAIFI must be at most 25
interruptions-consumer-year, SAIDI must be at most 45 hours (2700 minutes)-year, and CAIDI must be at most 4
hour-interruptions. However, ERC deferred the assessment using CAIDI. These values are considered under
unplanned interruptions and only applicable to NEA-supervised electric cooperatives and not to privately-owned DUs,
local government unit (LGU) owned-and-operated DUs, and other duly authorized entities engaged in the distribution
of electricity [5].
However, ERC filed resolution no. 1 series of 2013 or resolution adopting the DMC reliability indices
standards for on-grid electric cooperatives. The said resolution established maximum limits of SAIDI and SAIFI as
provided in the Electric Cooperatives Distribution Utility Planning Manual. DMC recommends a bandwidth for initial
reliability targets of all On-grid ECs. The SAIFI must be between 10 and 20 while 1350-2700 minutes is set for SAIDI.
Figure 1 shows the framework for SAIDI and Figure 2 shows the framework for SAIFI [6].

Figure II. Framework for SAIDI [6].

Figure III. Framework for SAIFI [6].

PDC specified the criteria for inclusion and exclusion of interruption events. Interruption event include
outages in the primary distribution system which covers the point of distribution substation to the point of distribution
transformers. Outages considered are those resulted from tripping action of protective devices due to faults of failure
of primary distribution line and/or transformer. There are events that are excluded from the calculation of reliability
indices such as outages that occurred in the secondary distribution system, outages due to generation, transmission
lines and substation, and planned interruptions where customers have been notified at least three days prior to loss of
power. Other incidents include supply interruptions made at the request of a customer or authorized customer
representative, outages that are initiated by the System Operator/Market Operator during the occurrence of significant
incidents or failure of their facilities, outages caused by adverse weather which result in the declaration by the
government of a state of calamity in the franchise area of the DU, and outages due to other events, including major
events that the ERC shall approve after due notice and hearing [4].

F. Incentives/Penalties
ERC resolution No. 8 series of 2011established a reward and penalty scheme for DUs that will report higher
or lower reliability performance indicator relative to the target value. Table V shows the impact on rates for the DUs
based on the deviation of the computed performance indicator from the target value [2].

Table V. Incentive and Penalty Schemes for DUs [2]

RELIABILITY EXCEEDING THE STANDARD BELOW THE STANDARD

PERFORMANCE Deviation from the % Impact on Deviation from
% Impact on Rates
INDICATOR Standard Rates the Standard

1/2 standard deviation 1.0 1/2 standard -1.0

above deviation above

1 standard deviation 2.0 1 standard -2.0

above deviation above
SAIDI
1 1/2 standard
1 1/2 standard 3.0 -3.0
deviations
deviations above
above

2 standard
2 standard deviations 4.0 -4.0
deviations
above
above

1/2 standard deviation 1.0 1/2 standard -1.0

above deviation above

1 standard deviation 2.0 1 standard -2.0

above deviation above
SAIFI
1 1/2 standard
1 1/2 standard 3.0 -3.0
deviations
deviations above
above

2 standard
2 standard deviations 4.0 -4.0
deviations
above
above

As per ERC Resolution No. 1 Series of 2013, neither penalty nor reward is achieved if the EC is operating
within the bandwidths set shown in Figure II and III. A penalty is imposed if the performance is worse than the set
targets while a reward is attained if the performance is better than the set targets [6].
References:

1. Kaufmann , L., Getachew, L., Makos, M., & Rich, J. (2010). System Reliability Regulation: A
Jurisdictional Survey. Wisconsin.
2. ERC Resolution No. 08, Series of 2011. A Resolution Adopting the Rules Governing the Tarriff Glide Path
Pursuant to Article VII of the Rules for Setting the Electric Cooperatives Wheeling Rates.
3. ERC Resolution No. 12 Series of 2006. A Resolution Adopting the Guidelines for the Monitoring of
Reliability Standards for Distribution Utilities.
4. Distribution Management Committee. (2016). Philippine Distribution Code.
5. Dulce, E.D. (2016). Chapter4: Reliability of Distributed Systems [PowerPoint Slides]. CEAT, UPLB,
College, Laguna.
6. ERC Resolution No. 01 Series of 2013. Resolution Adopting the Distribution Management Committee
(DMC) Reliability Indices Standards for On-Grid Electric Cooperatives.