Cost of Power Interruptions to Electricity Consumers in the UnitedStates (U.S.)
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:
- Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE. Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency andRenewable Energy
- DOE Contract Number:
- DE-AC02-05CH11231
- OSTI ID:
- 908489
- Report Number(s):
- LBNL-58164; R&D Project: 67674D; TRN: US200722%%667
- Journal Information:
- Energy: The International Journal, Vol. 31, Issue 12; Related Information: Journal Publication Date: 09/2006
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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