skip to main content

Distributed Generation: A Critical Review of Technologies, Grid Integration Issues, Growth Drivers and Potential Benefits

Institute of Technology, Nirma University, Ahmedabad, India

Received: 21 Mar 2020; Revised: 26 Apr 2020; Accepted: 30 Apr 2020; Available online: 2 May 2020; Published: 15 Jul 2020.
Editor(s): H Hadiyanto
Open Access Copyright (c) 2020 The Authors. Published by Centre of Biomass and Renewable Energy (CBIORE)
Creative Commons License This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Citation Format:
Abstract

Owing to liberalization of electricity market, technology evolution, energy security, environmental issues and growing concerns of energy cost, the penetration of distributed energy units in distribution network is increasingly observed worldwide. Penetratingrembedded generation, or distributedrgeneration (DG), in powerrdistribution grid requires asnumber of issues to be considered, such as definition of DG, rating of DG, the best DG technology etc. This paper presents an extensive critical review of various dimensions of distributed generation (DG) including definitions, generation technologies and their status, impact on distribution network performance etc. The study also presents comparative study between the various technologies in terms of most important technological characteristics of each DG technology. The policy makers, utility regulators and DG planning engineers can use this critical review, withoutigoing through complicatedicomputations, as guidelines to makeipolicies, standards andidecisions in DG penetration andirelated issues.  

Fulltext View|Download
Keywords: Distributed generation, distribution system, renewable energy sources, DG benefits

Article Metrics:

  1. Ackermann, T., Anderson, G. and Söder, L. (2001). Distributed generation: a definition. Electric Power Systems Research, 57, 195-204, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0378-7796(01)00101-8
  2. Adil, A., M. and Ko, Y. (2016). Social - technical evaluation of decentralized energy systems: a critical review and implications for urban planning and policy. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 57, 1025 - 1037, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2015.12.079
  3. Afanasyeva, S., Saari, J., Kalkofen, M., Partanen, J. and Pyrhönen, O (2016). Technical, economic and uncertainty modelling of a wind farm project. Energy Conversion and Management,107, 22 - 33, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2015.09.048
  4. Akella, A., Saini, R. and Sharma, M. (2009). Social, economic and environmental impacts of renewable energy systems', Renewable Energy, 34, 390 - 396, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2008.05.002
  5. Allan, G., Eromenko, I., Gilmartin, M., Kockar, I. and McGregor, P. (2015). The economics of distributed energy generation: A literature review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 42, 2015, 543-556, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2014.07.064
  6. Ardizzon, G., Cavazzini, G. and Pavesi, G. (2014). A new generation of small hydro and pumped-hydro power plants: advances and future challenges. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 31, 746 - 761. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2013.12.043
  7. Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) [Online], http://www.aemo.com.au/
  8. Banerjee, R. (2006). Comparison of options for distributed generation in India. Energy Policy, 34, 101 - 111. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2004.06.006
  9. Bansal, R. (2017) Handbook of Distributed Generation - Electric Power Technologies, Economics and Environmental Impacts, Springer International Publishing AG, Switzerland. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-51343-0
  10. Baxter, R. (2006) Energy storage: a nontechnical guide, Tulsa, OK: PennWell
  11. Bizon, N. (2018). Effective mitigation of the load pulses by controlling the battery/SMES hybrid energy storage system. Applied Energy, 229, 459-473. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2018.08.013
  12. Bond, T. and Templeton, M. (2011). History and future of domestic biogas plants in the developing world. Energy for Sustainable Development, 15(4), 347 - 354. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.esd.2011.09.003
  13. Borbely, A.M. and Kreider, J.F. (2001) Distributed Generation, The Power Paradigm for the New Millennium. Boca Raton: CRC Press, USA. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781420042399
  14. Bradbury, K. (2010) Energy storage technology review. Technical report, Durham, NC: Duke University
  15. Brearley, J. B. and Raja Prabu, R. (2017). A review on issues and approaches for microgrid protection. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 67, 988-997. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2016.09.047
  16. Brouwer, A. S., Mvd Broek, Özdemir, Ö., Koutstaal, P. and Faaij, A (2016). Business case uncertainty of power plants in future energy systems with wind power. Energy Policy, 89, 237-56. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2015.11.022
  17. Carley, S. (2009). Distributed generation: an empirical analysis of primary motivators. Energy Policy, 37(5), 1648 - 1659. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2009.01.003
  18. Chambers, A. (2001) Distributed generation: a non-technical guide. Oklahoma: Pennwell, Tulsa
  19. Chiradeja, P., Ramakumar, R. (2004). An approach to quantify the technical benefits of distributed generation. IEEE Transactions on Energy Conversion, 19, 764 - 73. https://doi.org/10.1109/TEC.2004.827704
  20. Chmutina, K. and Goodier, C., I. (2014). Alternative future energy pathways: assessment of the potential of innovative decentralised energy systems in the UK. Energy Policy, 66, 62 - 72. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2013.10.080
  21. CIGRE Study Committee 37 (WG 37-23) (1998) Impact of increasing contribution of dispersed generation on the power system Final Report, CIGRE, Paris
  22. Colmenar, S., A., Reino, R., C., Borge, D., D. and Collado, F., E. (2016). Distributed generation: a review of factors that can contribute most to achieve a scenario of DG units embedded in the new distribution networks. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 59,1130 - 1148. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2016.01.023
  23. Delfanti, M., Falabretti, D. and Merlo, M. (2013). Dispersed generation impact on distribution network losses. Electric Power Systems Research, 97,10 - 18. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsr.2012.11.018
  24. Dondi, P., Bayoumi, D., Haederli, C., Julian, D. and Suter, M. (2002). Network integration of distributed power generation', Journal of Power Sources, 106, 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0378-7753(01)01031-X
  25. Electric Power Research Institute. [Online] http://www.epri.com/gg/newgen/disgen/index.html (January 1998)
  26. Engelhardt, S., Erlich, I., Feltes, C., Kretschmann, J. and Shewarega, F. (2011). Reactive power capability of wind turbines based on doubly fed induction generators. IEEE Transactions on Energy Conversion, 26(1), 364 - 372. https://doi.org/10.1109/TEC.2010.2081365
  27. Florensa, R. S. and Cueva, R. L. (2003). Photovoltaic systems: case studies in Practical handbook of photovoltaics-fundamentals and applications, Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp. 726-747
  28. Gas Research Institute (1998). Distributed Power Generation: A Strategy for a Competitive Energy Industry, Gas Research Institute, Chicago, USA
  29. Gehlot, R., Pardikar, K., Dasila, N. K. and Mohanty, S. (2016) Solar PV. Integrated World Super Grid (WSG): possibilities, implementation issues and impacts. Journal of Clean Energy Technology, 4(1), 20 - 5. https://doi.org/10.7763/JOCET.2016.V4.247
  30. Government of India (GOI) (2018) Annual Report 2018 - 19, Ministry of Non - Renewable Energy, India
  31. Hadisaid, N., Canard, J. F. and Dumas, F. (1999). Dispersed generation impact on distribution networks. IEEE Computer Applications in Power, 12(12), 22-28. https://doi.org/10.1109/67.755642
  32. IEA (2014) Energy storage technology roadmap. International Energy Agency, Paris, France
  33. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) (2003) IEEE - 1547, Standard for Interconnecting Distributed Resources with Electric Power Systems
  34. International Energy Agency (IEA) (1997) Energy Technologies for the 21st Century, Paris
  35. International Energy Agency (IEA) (2002) Distributed generation in liberalized electricity markets. France
  36. Ishchenko, D., Oudalov, A. and Stoupis, J. (2012). Protection coordination in active distribution grids with IEC 61850 in IEEE PES Transmission and Distribution Conference and Exposition (T&D), 1 - 6. https://doi.org/10.1109/TDC.2012.6281478
  37. Jain, S.; Kalambe, S.; Agnihotri, G.; and Mishra, A. (2017). Distributed generation deployment: state - of - the - art of the distribution system planning in sustainable era. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 77, 363 - 385. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2017.04.024
  38. Jenkins, N., Allan, R., Crossley, P., Kirschen, D. and Strbac, G. (2000) Embedded Generation, The Institute of Electrical Engineers, London
  39. Jenkins, N., Ekanayake, J. B. and Strbac, G. (2010) Distributed Generation, 1st ed., IET, UK. https://doi.org/10.1049/PBRN001E
  40. Khalesi, N., Rezaei, N. and Haghifam, M. R. (2011). DG allocation with application of dynamic programming for loss reduction and reliability improvement. International Journal of Electrical Power and Energy System. 33(2), 88-295. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijepes.2010.08.024
  41. Khattam, W. El. and Salama, M. (2004). Distributed generation technologies, definitions and benefits. Electric Power Systems Research, 71, 119 - 128. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsr.2004.01.006
  42. Labouret, A. and Villoz, M. (2010) Solar photovoltaic energy, Institution of Engineering and Technology, United Kingdom. https://doi.org/10.1049/PBRN009E
  43. Latran, M. B., Teke, A. and Yoldas, Y. (2015). Mitigation of power quality problems using distribution static synchronous compensator: a comprehensive review. IET Power Electronics, 8(7), 1312-1328. https://doi.org/10.1049/iet-pel.2014.0531
  44. Lopes, V. S. and Borges, C. L. T. (2015). Impact of the combined integration of wind generation and small hydropower plants on the system reliability. IEEE Transactions on Sustainable Energy, 6(3), 1169 - 1177. https://doi.org/10.1109/TSTE.2014.2335895
  45. Mahat, P., Chen, Z. and Bak Jensen, B. (2010). Under frequency Load Shedding for an Islanded Distributed System with Distributed Generation. IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery, 25(2), 911 - 918. https://doi.org/10.1109/TPWRD.2009.2032327
  46. Mahmud, M. A., Hossain, M. J. and Pota, H. R. (2014). Voltage variation on distribution networks with distributed generation: worst case scenario. IEEE Systems Journal, 8, 1096 - 1103. https://doi.org/10.1109/JSYST.2013.2265176
  47. Mahmud, N. and Zahedi, A. (2016). Review of control strategies for voltage regulation of the smart distribution network with high penetration of renewable distributed generation. Renewable Sustainable Energy Reviews, 64, 582 - 95. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2016.06.030
  48. Manfren, M., Caputo, P. and Costa, G. (2011). Paradigm shift in urban energy systems through distributed generation: methods and models. Applied Energy, 88(4),1032 - 1048. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2010.10.018
  49. Mehigan, L., Deane, J.P., Gallachóir, B.P.Ó. and Bertsch, V. (2018). A review of the role of distributed generation (DG) in future electricity systems. Energy,163, 822 - 836. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2018.08.022
  50. National Renewable Energy Laboratory (2003). Gas fired distributed energy resource technology characterizations. [Online] http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy04osti/34783.pdf. (Accessed on 21 Apr 2016)
  51. Paliwal, P., Patidar, N. P. and Nema, R. K. (2014). Planning of grid integrated generators: a review of technology, objectives and planning. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 40, 557 - 570. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2014.07.200
  52. Pepermans, G., Driesen, J., Haeseldonckx, D., Belmans, R. and D'haeseleer, W. (2005). Distributed generation: definition, benefits and issues', Energy Policy, 33(6), 787-798. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2003.10.004
  53. Perez-Arriaga, I. J. (2016). The transmission of the future: the impact of distributed energy resources on the network', IEEE Power and Energy Magazine, 14(4), 41-53. https://doi.org/10.1109/MPE.2016.2550398
  54. Roy, N. and Pota, H. R. (2015). Current status and issues of concern for the integration of distributed generation into electricity networks. IEEE Systems Journal, 9, 933 - 44. https://doi.org/10.1109/JSYST.2014.2305282
  55. San Martín, J. I., Zamora, I., San Martín, J. J., Aperribay, V. and Eguia, P. (2010). Hybrid fuel cells technologies for electrical microgrids. Electric Power Systems Research, 80, 993-1005. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsr.2010.01.006
  56. Soroudi, A., Ehsan, M., Caire, R. and Hadjsaid, N. (2011) Possibilistic evaluation of distributed generations impacts on distribution networks. IEEE Transactions on Power Systems, 26(4), 2293 - 2301. https://doi.org/10.1109/TPWRS.2011.2116810
  57. Strachana, N. and Farrell, A. (2006). Emissions from distributed vs. centralized generation: the importance of system performance', Energy Policy, 34, 2677-2689. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2005.03.015
  58. Vahl, F., P., Rüther, R. and Casarotto, F., N. (2013). The influence of distributed generation penetration levels on energy markets', Energy Policy, 62, 226 - 235. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2013.06.108
  59. VanVuuren, S. J., VanDijk, M., Loots, I., Barta, B. and Scharfetter, B. G. (2014). Conduit hydropower development guide. Water Research Commmission, Pretoria
  60. Willis, H. L. and Scott, W. G. (2000) Distributed power generation, Marcel Dekker, New York. https://doi.org/10.1201/b16836
  61. Zahedi, A. (2011). A review of drivers, benefits, and challenges in integrating renewable energy sources into electricity grid. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 15, 4775 - 4779. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2011.07.074

Last update:

  1. Localization and Sizing of Distributed Generation through a Genetic Algorithm to Improve Voltage Profile Using Ecuadorian Standards

    David Calvachi, Luis Tipán, Manuel Jaramillo. Energies, 16 (10), 2023. doi: 10.3390/en16104139
  2. Network Reconfiguration of Distributed Generation for Reduced Power Loss and Increasing Voltage Profile by Using Artificial Bee Colony

    Yulianta Siregar, Zulkarnen Pane, Ferry Rahmat Astianta Bukit, Enda Gunanta Sembiring. 2021 IEEE 5th International Conference on Information Technology, Information Systems and Electrical Engineering (ICITISEE), 2021. doi: 10.1109/ICITISEE53823.2021.9655826
  3. Distributed energy systems: A review of classification, technologies, applications, and policies

    Talha Bin Nadeem, Mubashir Siddiqui, Muhammad Khalid, Muhammad Asif. Energy Strategy Reviews, 48 , 2023. doi: 10.1016/j.esr.2023.101096
  4. Research on Grid Connection of Virtual Synchronous Generator and Diesel Generator

    Weiqiang Zhan, Liang Hu, Guang Yang, Xiaoshan Yao, Ziliang Zhu, Mingbo Yang. 2023 IEEE 2nd International Conference on Electrical Engineering, Big Data and Algorithms (EEBDA), 2023. doi: 10.1109/EEBDA56825.2023.10090631
  5. Power Flow Analytical Method for Three-Phase Active Distribution Networks Based on Multi-Dimensional Holomorphic Embedding Method

    Yuge Sun, Tao Ding, Tianrui Xu, Chenggang Mu, Pierluigi Siano, Joao P. S. Catalao. IEEE Transactions on Circuits and Systems II: Express Briefs, 69 (12), 2022. doi: 10.1109/TCSII.2022.3204606
  6. Distributed Generation and Renewable Energy Integration into the Grid: Prerequisites, Push Factors, Practical Options, Issues and Merits

    Chu Donatus Iweh, Samuel Gyamfi, Emmanuel Tanyi, Eric Effah-Donyina. Energies, 14 (17), 2021. doi: 10.3390/en14175375
  7. Coordinated ancillary services, market participation and communication of multi-microgrids: A review

    Junior Alexis Villanueva-Rosario, Félix Santos-García, Miguel Euclides Aybar-Mejía, Patricio Mendoza-Araya, Angel Molina-García. Applied Energy, 308 , 2022. doi: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2021.118332
  8. A game-theoretic approach to assess peer-to-peer rooftop solar PV electricity trading under constrained power supply

    Alaa Krayem, Ali Ahmad, Sara Najem. Energy Systems, 14 (1), 2023. doi: 10.1007/s12667-021-00483-3
  9. Coordinated Operation and Planning of Modern Heat and Electricity Incorporated Networks

    Reza Gharibi, Behrooz Vahidi. 2022. doi: 10.1002/9781119862161.ch17
  10. Would you add some kWhs to your food order? A forward-looking perspective on the energy landscape disruption portrayed by future actors in a distributed system

    Elad Shaviv, Yael Parag, Naama Teschner, Shiri Zemah-Shamir. Energy Research & Social Science, 94 , 2022. doi: 10.1016/j.erss.2022.102877
  11. Progresses in Analytical Design of Distribution Grids and Energy Storage

    Gianpiero Colangelo, Gianluigi Spirto, Marco Milanese, Arturo de Risi. Energies, 14 (14), 2021. doi: 10.3390/en14144270

Last update: 2024-11-04 03:59:26

  1. Power loss minimization in radial distribution systems with simultaneous placement and sizing of different types of distribution generation units using improved artificial bee colony algorithm

    Khetrapal P.. International Journal on Electrical Engineering and Informatics, 12 (3), 2020. doi: 10.15676/ijeei.2020.12.3.15