SELECTION OF ELECTRICITY TARIFF DESIGNS FOR DISTRIBUTION NETWORKS USING ANALYTIC NETWORK PROCESS

Abstract

In electricity distribution networks, tariff designs set the interface between the users and network operators or service providers. Tariff designs provide the reference base for tariff schedules covering multiple categories of network users. It is widely accepted that electric utility rate designs have subjective and objective multi-criteria dependencies. Based on utility rate making literature, subcriteria for selection of tariff designs can be listed under the economic, technological, and social criteria. In this study, two widely used electricity tariff designs, volumetric or energy charges and capacity or demand charges are considered. In addition, real-time pricing and a hybrid tariff design that combines energy and capacity charges with critical peak pricing are also included in the comparison. Performance evaluation of these tariff designs on quantifiable parameters relating to economic aspects is carried out using the Tariff Design and Analysis Tool. Literature on electricity tariff designs and pricing provides the metadata on performance relating to qualitative criteria covering mainly the technological and social aspects. A synthesis of the quantitative and qualitative criteria evaluations was done by developing a Benefits-Opportunities-Costs-Risks (BOCR) model in the Analytic Network Process (ANP), a Multi-Criteria Decision Making methodology. A quantitative assessment of inconsistencies in evaluation and synthesis of the model using a consistency index shows that the developed ANP framework for tariff design selection is a valid approach. The developed BOCR model in ANP shows that the hybrid tariff design of Energy and Capacity charges with Coincident Peak Pricing is the best alternative. A sensitivity analysis shows that the ranking is variable when the BOCR priorities change.