Electric power interruption cost and its correlation with the system reliability

Abstract

Electricity is essentially required for the existence of the modern society. Continuous electric supply is a measure of production in industry, profit in the business and day-to-day comfort in the household works. The uninterrupted electric supply is a desire of a consumer. The electric power interruption may create a significant loss to the consumers of different. sectors. In this study, the types oflosses in the residential, industrial and commercial sectors are identified to evaluate the losses due to power interruption into monetary terms. The major loss components are damage of electrical appliances, cost of alternative sources used, damage of perishable goods/damage of ra~ materials under process and loss due to inconveniences/additional wages/In order to evaluate the loss due to power intemlption, a mathematical model is developed. A questionnaire is developed to collect information relating to power interruption. The evaluated loss is compared with the electricity bills paid by the consumers. Also, correlation between the cost of interruption of power for consumers of different sectors and the reliability indices of power supply is established. The outcome of this research will be a guideline to the power system planners to justify a plan of increased reliability level. The research will also create awareness among the consumers by observing the losses into monetary terms, incurred to them due to power interruption.