Entropy determination in the problem of the analysing an electrical network state under the condition of independence of functioning of its elements

The possibility of applying the measure of information uncertainty (entropy) in structural reliability analysis of electricity distribution networks is assessed. The essential factors influencing the process of reliability analysis and related to the presence of information uncertainty are highlighted. The peculiarities of reliability analysis in network designing and operation, when it is required to estimate the state of elements and choose the efficient structure of a network are considered. The opportunities and limitations in the application of existing methods of structural reliability analysis are evaluated; it proves the importance of information uncertainty measurement. The conceptual apparatus of entropy includes the mathematical procedure of its calculation. Fail-safe operation probability and probability of network element failure are taken as reliability index. The mathematical expressions proposed for calculating entropy are applicable when there are two independently functioning network elements, each of which will be able to be in one of two states with a fraction of probability: operable and non-operable. The obtained results allowed identifying the more reliable elements/objects. The application of the proposed mathematical procedure allows to compare network elements with each other through the value of entropy and to choose the most reliable ones. Thus, the proposed solution is a preliminary step in the uncertainty removal task.