Classification of industrial customers regarding sensitivity towards interruptions

This paper presents the results from a project conducted aimed at identifying different categories of customers with respect to their sensitivity towards supply interruptions. Industrial customers connected to the distribution grid were interviewed regarding their sensitivity towards interruptions and how the cost related to the duration of the interruption, focusing on the individual customer. Most former surveys have looked at average values over a number of customers within the same group. Some applications of the information gathered in this way are discussed, also related to the smart grid concept. One important conclusion that can be drawn from the study is that the interruption cost for each individual customer needs to be investigated.