Abstract
This paper presents a novel practical technique developed and applied for assessment of reliability and quality in real-life power systems. System-wide integrated performance indices are capable of addressing and revealing areas of deficiencies and bottlenecks as well as shortfalls in the composite generation-transmission-demand structure of large-scale power grids. The new evaluation methodology offers a general and comprehensive framework to assess the harmony and compatibility of generation capacities, transmission and required demand in a power system. The technique used in this paper is evaluated by the shortfall generation capacity index which is based on three dimensions introduced to represent the relationship between certain system generation capacity and demand. Also, practical applications to the Saudi power grid are presented for demonstration purposes.