ELECTRICITY AS A SPECIFIC GOODS IN FORENSIC COMMODITY EXAMINATION

Abstract

Features of functioning of the energy market and features of its goods – the electric power are considered. The specifics of consumer value and value of this product, features of its production, as well as sales are determined. The specifics of the product «electricity» include, first, the impossibility of its storage. It should be held exactly as needed, and at a certain time. That is, it is a market without storage. Secondly, when transmitting (selling) electricity, it is impossible to transmit it in a certain direction. These properties determine the specifics of electricity trade. Another feature of electricity is that it is the most convenient form of energy. At the same time, electricity takes the form of goods and has a consumer value and value. They determine the specifics of the electricity sector. First, electricity of the same quality can be produced at enterprises with different technological levels. It is this property that makes it possible to combine power plants that use different types of fuel and are equipped with equipment of different technological level into a single power system. Secondly, the consumer value of the product «electricity» meets the needs of man at the time of its production, because currently there are no methods of storing electricity in large quantities. This brings electricity closer to the service sector. Serious differences from the latter are that after the consumer connects to the source of electricity, it is possible to consume electricity, but the consumption itself does not occur immediately, as a result of an agreement between seller and buyer, and later. In contrast to the service sector, in the electricity sector it is important to assess, taking into account past consumption volumes, as well as the types and volumes of economic activity of consumers, the future possible maximum values of load and maximum electricity consumption. These are the so-called peak loads. This feature of electricity leads to the fact that the cost of electricity tariffs (especially for large consumers) can take into account both the possibility of consumption and actual consumption (which takes the form of payment for permitted capacity and for actually consumed electricity). It is established that the most reliable and objective information on the level of prices in the retail electricity market in Ukraine may be price information contained in the Reports on monitoring the functioning of the retail electricity market on the official website of the National Commission for Electricity Market Research.