Question

Define the diversity factor and explain how it affects the load factor of the plant.

Answer 1

Diversity Factor is defined as the ratio of sum of individual maximum demand to the maximum demand on the plant. Mathematically,

Diversity Factor = Sum of Individual Maximum Demand / Maximum Demand

The diversity factor recognizes that the whole load does not equal the sum of its parts due to this time interdependence (i.e. diverseness).

Answer 2

In the context of electricity,the diversity factor (or simultaneity factor. ) is the ratio of the sum of the individual non-coincident maximum loads of various subdivisions of the system to the maximum demand of the complete system. The diversity factor is always greater than 1.