Power Factor Q&A
Q. What is the adjusted billing demand?
A. A description of the adjusted billing demand can be found in the Oncor Tariff, Section 5.5.5 – Power Factor.
The calculation of the power factor adjustment is noted in the following example:
- Adjusted billing demand = (1000 kW x .95) / .80
- Adjusted billing demand = 1188 kW
The 1000kW that is used in the example is the billed kW based on the peak 15 minute interval demand or the ratchet demand as appropriate in accordance with the applicable tariff.
Q. Which customers could be affected by the implementation of power factor?
A. The current approved Oncor tariff permits application of a power factor billing adjustment to any demand metered premise where the power factor as measured at the retail customer's meter is less than 95% lagging.
Q. Will residential customers be affected by power factor adjustment?
A. No. The current tariff in effect for Oncor does not provide for power factor billing adjustments for non-demand metered customers.
Q. Will end use customers receive a notice prior to implementation?
A. Oncor has informed competitive retailers that it intends to implement the power factor provisions in its tariffs. Oncor will notify CRs prior to initial implementation. Each individual competitive retailer will determine how it wishes to communicate with its end use customers.
Q. What information about power factor will be sent by Oncor to the Competitive Retailer?
A. The current EDI market transactions provide fields for kvarh, kWh, billing demand and power factor. The power factor is passed to competitive retailers in the monthly 867-03 and the 867-02 historical usage EDI transactions. The power factor value is reported as a decimal; i.e. .935.
Q. Will Oncor provide power factor measurements upon request by the customer?
A. No. This is a competitive energy service that Oncor is unable to provide in accordance with Substantive Rule §25.343. It should be noted that power factor varies over time relative to electric devices in use and their load characteristics at the time of measurement. The power factor measurement that will be used for billing purposes is the average power factor for the 15 minutes during the peak demand and can not be determined by an instantaneous reading. Customers may want to check with their competitive retailer or a reputable competitive energy service provider to get recommendations regarding power factor correction.
Q. Could I determine my power factor by having it measured by a qualified person or company?
A. Yes, however it should be noted that power factor varies over time relative to electric devices in use and their load characteristics at the time of measurement. The power factor measurement that will be used for billing purposes is the average power factor for the 15 minutes during the peak kW demand.
Q. Is Power Factor Data available on Oncor's IDR Meter Data Portal?
A. As IDR power factor meters are installed and data becomes available, it will be posted on Oncor’s IDR Meter Data Portal. Power factor data will appear in the final column of the file as kvarh. If only one column of data is present (kWh) then power factor data is currently not available.
Q. How and by what means will Oncor notify its Retail Electric Providers of the exact date the Adjustment to Billing Demand will begin?
A. Oncor will provide at least six weeks notice prior to initial implementation. Following initial implementation, the Oncor Revenue Management group will notify appropriate retailers approximately one billing cycle in advance as appropriate premises are metered in accordance with the implementation plan. Under the implementation plan, power factor billing will be phased in using three separate concurrent tracks (Transmission, Primary & Secondary). Power factor billing will be implemented in descending demand order within each of the three tracks as those premises have power factor capable metering installed.
Q. What is the current expected date for Oncor to implement power factor billing adjustments?
A. The earliest Oncor could complete testing and implement power factor billing would be mid-2004.
Q. Will retail customers be notified by Oncor that their meter is being changed or upgraded?
A. No. Oncor is currently in the process of installing power factor capable meters and does not provide end-use customers advance notification of meter installation unless significant work is required to modify the existing meter installation.
Q. Once a retail customer has a meter capable of reading power factor, how long will it be before Oncor begins to initiate the adjusted billing demand for billing? (Next meter read, Next group initiation)?
A. Once Oncor begins implementing power factor billing adjustments, in order for a premise to qualify for implementation, power factor capable metering must be in place and functioning for at least one complete meter reading cycle and the premise must be qualified for implementation based on the plan to implement in descending demand order.
Q. For Each Oncor Tariff where power factor adjusted billing is permitted, what Oncor billing determinants will be affected?
A. Power factor adjustments will be made to the billed demand (current month'’s 4CP, NCP and Billing KW) currently used by Oncor in its billing process and transmitted to REPs. Power factor adjusted bills will simply have the billed demand adjusted upward by the ratio of expected power factor (.95) to actual power factor recorded at the highest 15 minute demand interval.
Q. Does a current month's power factor adjustment to billing demand only affect the current month, or can a power factor billing demand adjustment affect future Oncor monthly billings?
A. The current month's power factor adjustment will only affect the current month’s billing and will not effect future month’s power factor adjustments. A power factor reading will be taken each month from PF capable meters at the time of the highest 15 minute peak demand. This reading will be used to adjust only the current month’s 4CP, NCP and Billing KW if power Factor is measured at less than .95.
Q. Will the power factor be provided to Retail Electric Providers every month or only if it is below 95%?
A. Once a premise is implemented information on the power factor recorded at the time of the highest 15 minute actual demand will be provided every meter reading cycle.