Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
To summarize this Electricity 101 presentation, we have answered some common questions asked by site selectors and business customers.
- What can a consultant or customer demand of a utility?What can a consultant or customer demand of a utility? If the electric service is regulated, a customer must be treated equitably with similar customers. If power supply is unregulated, you should demand competitive prices. And, in either case, you should ensure that you are receiving the best available rate.
- What are the differences between regulated and unregulated?What are the differences between regulated and unregulated? In deregulated states, it is only the electric generation or power supply component of the system that is competitive and not regulated. Transmission and distribution are always regulated.
- What are the major cost drivers in getting electric infrastructure to a site?What are the major cost drivers in getting electric infrastructure to a site? Major cost drivers include on-site electric infrastructure such as substations and transformers, as well as the purchase and construction of new transmissions rights of way. Extremely large users are sometimes directly served from the transmission lines when load requirements or unusual circumstances justify. If this is the case, please keep the following in mind:
• Utility bears right of way construction costs if best method of service is determined to be via transmission lines.
• Customers bear this cost if they opt for transmission service when the utility has determined that the best method of service is via distribution lines. - What causes delays in getting power to a site?What causes delays in getting power to a site? Lack of detailed information from the customer can prevent the utility from purchasing the needed service equipment and will delay the construction process. Obtaining and constructing new transmission rights of way can also lead to project delays.
- How can the business customer achieve greater reliability?How can the business customer achieve greater reliability? As a site selector, you can help the business achieve greater reliability by encouraging a close relationship between the customer and the utility. If the utility is aware of the customer’s equipment and operational needs, the utility can help ensure that the customer understands what reliability to expect.
By providing the operational information early in the process, the utility can also help the customer design protective schemes to minimize power interruptions at the facility.