Various Types of Electricity Tariff

Various Types of Electricity Tariff:

The electrical energy produced by a power station is delivered to a large number of consumers. The consumers can be persuaded to use electrical energy if it is sold at reasonable rates. The tariff i.e., the rate at which electrical energy is sold naturally becomes attention inviting for electric supply company. The supply company has to ensure that the tariff is such that it not only recovers the total cost of producing electrical energy but also earns profit on the capital investment. However, the profit must be marginal particularly for a country like India where electric supply companies come under public sector and are always subject to criticism. In this chapter, we shall deal with Various Types of Electricity Tariff with special references to their advantages and disadvantages.

Tariff Definition

The rate at which electrical energy is supplied to a consumer is known as to a consumer is known as Tariff

Although tariffs should include the total cost of producing and supplying electrical energy plus the profit, yet it cannot be the same for all types of consumers. It is because the cost of producing electrical energy depends to a considerable extent upon the magnitude of electrical energy consumed by the user and his load conditions. Therefore, in all fairness, due consideration has to be given to different types of consumers (e.g., industrial, domestic and commercial) while fixing the tariff. This makes the problem of suitable rate making highly complicated.

Objectives of Tariffs: Like other commodities, electrical energy is also sold at such a rate so that it not only returns the cost but also earns reasonable profit. Therefore, a tariff should include the following items :

Recovery of cost of producing electrical energy at the power station.

Recovery of cost on the capital investment in transmission and distribution systems.
Recovery of cost of operation and maintenance of supply of electrical energy,e.g., metering equipment,billing etc.
A suitable profit on the capital investment.

Desirable Characteristics of a Tariffs

A tariff must have the following desirable characteristics:

Proper return : The tariff should be such that it ensures the proper return from each consumer. In other words, the total receipts from the consumers must be equal to the cost of producing and supplying electrical energy plus reasonable profit. This will enable the electric supply company to ensure continuous and reliable service to the consumers.
Fairness: The tariffs must be fair so that different types of consumers are satisfied with the rife of of electrical energy. Thus a big consumer should be charged at a lower rate than a small consumer. It is because increased energy consumption spreads the fixed charges over a greater number of units, thus reducing the overall cost of producing electrical energy. Similarly, a consumer whose load conditions do not deviate much from the ideal (i.e., non-variable) should be charged at a lower* rate than the one whose load conditions change appreciably from the ideal.
Simplicity: The tariff should be simple so that an ordinary consumer can easily understand it ACOMpliCated tariff may cause an opposition from the public which is generally distrustful of supply companies.
Reasonable profit: The profit element in the tariff should be reasonable. An electric•supply company is a’ public utility company and generally enjoys the benefits of monopoly. Therefore, the investment is relatively safe due to non-competition in the market. This calls for the profit to be restricted to 8% or so per annum.
Attractive: The tariff should be attractive so that a large number of consumers are encouraged to use electrical energy. Efforts should be made to fix the tariffs in such a way so that consumers can pay easily.

Types of Tariff

There are several types of tariff. However, the following are the commonly used types of tariff :

1.Simple tariff: When there is a fixed rate per unit of energy consumed, it is called a simple tariff or uniform rate tariff.

In this type of tariff, the price charged per unit is constant i.e., it does not vary with increase or decrease in number of units consumed. The consumption of electrical energy at the consumer’s terminals is recorded by means of an energy meter. This is the simplest of all tariffs and is readily understood by the consumers.

Disadvantages

There is no discrimination between different types of consumers since every consumer has to pay equitably for the fixed charges.
The cost per unit delivered is high.
It does not encourage the use of electricity.

2.Flat rate tariff: When different types of consumers are charged at different uniform per unit rates, it is called a flat rate tariff.

In this type of tariff, the consumers are grouped into different classes and each class of consumers is charged at a different uniform rate. For instance, the flat rate per kWh for lighting load may be 60 paise, whereas it may be slightly less (say 55 paise per kWh) for power load. The different classes of consumers are made taking into account their diversity and load factors. The advantage of such a tariff is that it is more fair to different types of consumers and is quite simple in calculations.

Disadvantages

Since the flat rate tariff varies according to the way the supply is used, separate meters are required for lighting load, power load etc. This makes the application of such a tariff expensive and complicated.
A particular class of consumers is charged at the same rate irrespective of the magnitude of energy consumed. However, a big consumer should be charged at a lower rate as in his case the fixed charges per unit are reduced.

3.Block rate tariff: When a given block of energy is charged at a specified rate and the succeeding blocks of energy are charged at progressively reduced rates, it is called a block rate tariff.

In block rate tariff, the energy consumption is divided into blocks and the price per unit is fixed in each block. The price per unit in the first block is the highest and it is progressively reduced for the succeeding blocks of energy. For example, the first 30 units may be charged at the rate of 60 paise per unit ; the next 25 units at the rate of 55 paise per unit and the remaining additional units may be charged at the rate of 30 paise per unit.

The advantage of such a tariff is that the consumer gets an incentive to consume more electrical energy. This increases the load factor of the system and hence the cost of generation is reduced. However, its principal defect is that it lacks a measure of the consumer’s demand. This type of tariff is being used for majority of residential and small commercial consumers.

4.Two-part tariff: When the rate of electrical energy is charged on the basis of maximum demand of the consumer and the units consumed, it is called a two-part tariff.

In two-part tariff, the total charge to be made from the consumer is split into two components viz., fixed charges and running charges. The fixed charges depend upon the maximum demand of the consumer while the running charges depend upon the number of units consumed by the consumer. Thus, the consumer is charged at a certain amount per kW of maximumtt demand plus a certain amount per kWh of energy consumed i.e.,

This type of tariff is mostly applicable to industrial consumers who have appreciable maximum demand.

Advantages

It is easily understood by the consumers.
It recovers the fixed charges which depend upon the maximum demand of the consumer but are independent of the units consumed.

Disadvantages

The consumer has to pay the fixed charges irrespective of the fact whether he has consumed or not consumed the electrical energy.
There is always error in assessing the maximum demand of the consumer.

5.Maximum demand tariff: It is similar to two-part tariff with the only difference that the maximum demand is actually measured by installing maximum demand meter in the premises of the consumer. This removes the objection of two-part tariff where the maximum demand is assessed merely on the basis of the rateable value. This type of tariff is mostly applied to big consumers. However, it is not suitable for a small consumer (e.g., residential consumer) as a separate maximum demand meter is required.

6. Power factor tariff: The tariff in which power factor of the consumer’s load is taken into consideration is known as power factor tariff.

In an a.c. system, power factor plays an important role. A low* power factor increases the rating of station equipment and line losses. Therefore, a consumer having low power factor must be penalised. The following are the important types of power factor tariff :

(i) kVA maximum demand tariff : It is a modified form of two-part tariff. In this case, the fixed charges are made on the basis of maximum demand in kVA and not in kW. As kVA is inversely proportional to power factor, therefore, a consumer having low power factor has to contribute more towards the fixed charges. This type of tariff has the advantage that it encourages the consumers to operate their appliances and machinery at improved power factor.

(ii) Sliding scale tariff: This is also know as average power factor tariff. In this case, an average power factor, say ff 8 lagging, is taken as the reference. If the power factor of the consumer falls below this factor, suitable additional charges are made. On the other hand, if the power factor is above the reference, a discount is allowed to the consumer.

(iii) kW and kVAR tariff : In this type, both active power (kW) and reactive power (kVAR) are charged separately. A consumer having low power factor will draw more reactive power and hence shall have to pay more charges.

7.Three-part tariff: When the total charge to be made front the consumer is split into three parts viz., fixed charge, semi-fixed charge and running charge, it is known as a three-part tariff. i.e.,

It may be seen that by adding fixed charge or consumer’s charge (i.e., a) to two-part tariff, it becomes three-part tariff. The principal objection of this type of tariff is that the charges are split into three components. This type of tariff is generally applied to big consumers.