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Cost of Power Interruptions to Electricity Consumers in the UnitedStates (U.S.)

Journal Article · · Energy: The International Journal
OSTI ID:908489
The massive electric power blackout in the northeastern U.S.and Canada on August 14-15, 2003 catalyzed discussions about modernizingthe U.S. electricity grid. Industry sources suggested that investments of$50 to $100 billion would be needed. This work seeks to better understandan important piece of information that has been missing from thesediscussions: What do power interruptions and fluctuations in powerquality (power-quality events) cost electricity consumers? We developed abottom-up approach for assessing the cost to U.S. electricity consumersof power interruptions and power-quality events (referred to collectivelyas "reliability events"). The approach can be used to help assess thepotential benefits of investments in improving the reliability of thegrid. We developed a new estimate based on publicly availableinformation, and assessed how uncertainties in these data affect thisestimate using sensitivity analysis.
Research Organization:
Ernest Orlando Lawrence Berkeley NationalLaboratory, Berkeley, CA (US)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE. Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency andRenewable Energy
DOE Contract Number:
AC02-05CH11231
OSTI ID:
908489
Report Number(s):
LBNL--58164
Journal Information:
Energy: The International Journal, Journal Name: Energy: The International Journal Journal Issue: 12 Vol. 31
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English