NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, SRINAGAR

A SEMINAR REPORT ON
DISTRIBUTED GENERATION
(DG)

SUBMITTED BY:
DHARMENDER KUMAR
ENROLL: ELE/67/15

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Table of Contents

1.ABSTRACT……………………………………………………………………………………3

2.INTRODUCTION……………………………………………………………………………..4

3.TYPES OF DISTRIBUTED ENERGY RESOURCES……………………………………….6

4. INTEGRATION WITH THE GRID………………………………………………..……..…16

5. BENEFITS OF DISTRIBUTED GENERATION…………………………………..……….17

6. CONCLUSION………………………………………………………………………..……..18

7. FUTURE SCOPE………………………………………………………………………..…...19

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 1. ABSTRACT

This paper starts from the observation that there is a renewed interest in small-scale
electricity generation. . The authors start with a survey of existing small-scale
generation technologies and then move on with a discussion of the major benefits
and issues of small-scale electricity generation. Different technologies are
evaluated in terms of their possible contribution to the listed benefits and issues.
Small-scale generation is also commonly called distributed generation, embedded
generation or decentralized generation.

With people attention to sustainable development and environmental pollution,

distributed generation (DG) technology with its unique environment and economy
raises more and more concern. The rapid development of DG technology results in
large-capacity distributed power connected to the grid, but DG affected by natural
conditions will not deliver output power continuously and stably. And DG usually
is incorporated into the electric power system at the distribution networks side,
which will cause the system stability problems increased. In order to fully play the
role of distributed power, avoid the adverse effects of its existence, it is necessary
to study in-depth on DG and the technology of its connected to the grid. In this
paper it is researched and analyzed for problems brought by DG connected to the
grid and put forward the corresponding solution.

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 2. INTRODUCTION

Distributed generation is a new trend in the generation of heat and electrical power.
The concept permits the "consumer", who is generating heat or electricity for their
own needs, to send their surplus electrical power back into the power grid or share
excess heat via a distributed heating grid.

Distributed generation is an approach that employs small-scale technologies to

produce electricity close to the end users of power. DG technologies often consist
of modular (and sometimes renewable-energy) generators, and they offer a number
of potential benefits. In many cases, distributed generators can provide lower-cost
electricity and higher power reliability and security with fewer environmental
consequences than can traditional power generators.

In contrast to the use of a few large-scale generating stations located far from load
centers--the approach used in the traditional electric power paradigm--DG systems
employ numerous, but small plants and can provide power onsite with little
reliance on the distribution and transmission grid. DG technologies yield power in
capacities that range from a fraction of a kilowatt [kW] to about 100 megawatts
[MW]. Utility-scale generation units generate power in capacities that often reach
beyond 1,000 MW.

Historically, central plants have been an integral part of the electric grid, in which
large generating facilities are specifically located either close to resources or
otherwise located far from populated load centers. These in turn supply the
traditional transmission and distribution grid that distributes bulk power to load
centers and from there to consumers. These were developed when the costs of

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transporting fuel and integrating generating technologies into populated areas far
exceeded the cost of developing T&D facilities and tariffs.

DISTRIBUTED GENERATION TECHNOLOGIES:

Distributed generation takes place on two-levels: the local level and the end-point
level. Local level power generation plants often include renewable energy
technologies that are site specific, such as wind turbines, geothermal energy
production, solar systems (photovoltaic and combustion), and some hydro-thermal
plants. These plants tend to be smaller and less centralized than the traditional
model plants. They also are frequently more energy and cost efficient and more
reliable. Since these local level DG producers often take into account the local
context, the usually produce less environmentally damaging or disrupting energy
than the larger central model plants.

Phosphorus fuel cells also provide an alternative route to a DG technology. These

are not as environmentally reliant as the previously mentioned technologies. These
fuel cells are able to provide electricity through a chemical process rather than a
combustion process. This process produces little particulate waste.

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At the end-point level the individual energy consumer can apply many of these
same technologies with similar effects. One DG technology frequently employed
by end-point users is the modular internal combustion engine. These modular
internal combustion engines can also be used to backup RVs and homes. DG
technologies can operate as isolated "islands" of electric energy production or they
can serve as small contributors to the power grid.

3. TYPES OF DISTRIBUTED ENERGY RESOURCES

Distributed energy resource (DER) systems are small-scale power generation

technologies (typically in the range of 1 kW to 10,000 kW) used to provide an
alternative to or an enhancement of the traditional electric power system. The usual
problem with distributed generators is their high initial capital costs.

3.1 COGENERATION:

Distributed cogeneration sources use steam turbines, natural gas-fired fuel cells,
Micro-turbines or reciprocating engines to turn generators. The hot exhaust is then
used for space or water heating, or to drive an absorptive chiller for cooling such as
air-conditioning. In addition to natural gas-based schemes, distributed energy
projects can also include other renewable or low carbon fuels including bio fuels,
biogas, landfill gas, sewage gas, coal bed methane, syngas and associated
petroleum gas.

In addition, molten carbonate fuel cell and solid oxide fuel cells using natural gas,
such as the ones from Fuel cell Energy and the Bloom energy server, or waste-to-
energy are used as a distributed energy resource.

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3.2 SOLAR PANEL:

A primary issue with solar power is that it is intermittent. Popular sources of power
for distributed generation are solar heat collection panels and solar panels on the
roofs of buildings or free-standing. Solar heating panels are used mostly for
heating water and when the water is heated into steam it can effectively and
economically used in steam turbines to produce electricity.

Some "thin-film" solar cells have waste-disposal issues when they are made with
heavy metals such as Cadmium telluride and Copper indium gallium selenide and
must be recycled, as opposed to silicon solar cells, which are mostly non-metallic.
Unlike coal and nuclear, there are no fuel costs, operating pollution, mining-safety
or operating-safety issues. Solar power has a low capacity factor, producing peak
power at local noon each day. Average capacity factor is typically 20%.

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3.3 WIND TURBINE:

Another source is small wind turbines. These have low maintenance, and low
pollution, however as with solar, wind energy is intermittent. Construction costs
are higher than large power plants, except in very windy areas. Wind towers and
generators have substantial insurable liabilities caused by high winds, but good
operating safety. Wind also tends to complement solar. Days without sun there
tend to be windy, and vice versa. Many distributed generation sites combine wind
power and solar can be monitored online.

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3.4 WASTE-TO-ENERGY:

Municipal solid waste (MSW) and natural waste, such as sewage sludge, food
waste and animal manure will decompose and discharge methane-containing gas
that can be collected as used as fuel in gas turbines or micro turbines to produce
electricity as a distributed energy resource. Additionally, a California-based
company has developed a process that transforms natural waste materials, such as
sewage sludge, into biofuel that can be combusted to power a steam turbine that
produces power. This power can be used in lieu of grid-power at the waste source
(such as a treatment plant, farm or dairy).

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3.5. FUEL CELLS:

There are many types of fuel cells currently under development in the 5-1000+ kW
size range, including phosphoric acid, proton exchange membrane, molten
carbonate, solid oxide, alkaline, and direct methanol.

Although the numerous types of fuel cells differ in their electrolytic material, they
all use the same basic principle. A fuel cell consists of two electrodes separated by
an electrolyte. Hydrogen fuel is fed into the anode of the fuel cell. Oxygen (or air)
enters the fuel cell through the cathode. With the aid of a catalyst, the hydrogen
atom splits into a proton (H+) and an electron. The proton passes through the
electrolyte to the cathode and the electrons travel in an external circuit. As the
electrons flow through an external circuit connected as a load they create a DC
current. At the cathode, protons combine with hydrogen and oxygen, producing
water and heat. Fuel cells have very low levels of NOx and CO emissions because
the power conversion is an electrochemical process. The part of a fuel cell that
contains the electrodes and electrolytic material is called the "stack," and is a major
contributor to the total cost of the total system. Stack replacement is very costly but
becomes necessary when efficiency degrades as stack operating hours accumulate.

Fuel cells require hydrogen for operation. However, it is generally impractical to

use hydrogen directly as a fuel source; instead, it must be extracted from hydrogen-
rich sources such as gasoline, propane, or natural gas. Cost effective, efficient fuel
reformers that can convert various fuels to hydrogen are necessary to allow fuel
cells increased flexibility and commercial feasibility.

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3.6 RECIPROCATING DIESEL OR NATURAL GAS ENGINES:

Reciprocating engines, developed more than 100 years ago, were the first among
DG technologies. They are used on many scales, with applications ranging from
fractional horsepower units that power small tools to enormous 60 MW base load
electric power plants. Smaller engines are primarily designed for transportation and
can usually be converted to power generation with little modification. Larger
engines are most frequently designed for power generation, mechanical drive, or
marine propulsion.

Reciprocating engines can be fueled by diesel or natural gas, with varying emission
outputs. Almost all engines used for power generation are four-stroke and operate
in four cycles (intake, compression, combustion, and exhaust). The process begins
with fuel and air being mixed. In turbocharged applications, the air is compressed
before mixing with fuel. The fuel/air mixture is introduced into the combustion
cylinder and ignited with a spark. For diesel units, the air and fuel are introduced
separately with fuel being injected after the air is compressed. Reciprocating
engines are currently available from many manufacturers in all size ranges. They
are typically used for either continuous power or backup emergency power.
Cogeneration configurations are available with heat recovery from the gaseous
exhaust.

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3.7MICROTURBINES:

Micro turbines are an emerging class of small-scale distributed power generation in

the 30-400 kW size range. The basic technology used in micro turbines is derived
from aircraft auxiliary power systems, diesel engine turbochargers, and automotive
designs. A number of companies are currently field-testing demonstration units,
and several commercial units are available for purchase.

Micro turbines consist of a compressor, combustor, turbine, and generator. The

compressors and turbines are typically radial-flow designs, and resemble
automotive engine turbochargers. Most designs are single-shaft and use a high-
speed permanent magnet generator producing variable voltage, variable frequency
alternating current (AC) power. Most micro turbine units are designed for
continuous-duty operation and are recuperated to obtain higher electric
efficiencies.

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3.8 COMBUSTION GAS TURBINES:

Combustion turbines range in size from simple cycle units starting at about 1 MW
to several hundred MW when configured as a combined cycle power plant. Units
from 1-15 MW are generally referred to as industrial turbines (or sometimes as
miniturbines), which differentiates them both from larger utility grade turbines and
smaller micro turbines.. Historically, they were developed as aero derivatives,
spawned from engines used for jet propulsion. Some, however, are designed
specifically for stationary power generation or compression applications in the oil
and gas industries. Multiple stages are typical and along with axial blading
differentiate these turbines from the smaller micro turbines described above.

Combustion turbines have relatively low installation costs, low emissions, and
infrequent maintenance requirements. Cogeneration DG installations are
particularly advantageous when a continuous supply of steam or hot water is
desired.

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 4. INTEGRATION WITH THE GRID

For reasons of reliability, distributed generation resources would be interconnected

to the same transmission grid as central stations. Various technical and economic
issues occur in the integration of these resources into a grid. Technical problems
arise in the areas of power quality, voltage stability, harmonics, reliability,
protection, and control. Behavior of protective devices on the grid must be
examined for all combinations of distributed and central station generation. A large
scale deployment of distributed generation may affect grid-wide functions such as
frequency control and allocation of reserves. As a result smart grid functions,
virtual power plants and grid energy storage such as power to gas stations are
added to the grid.

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 5. BENEFITS OF DISTRIBUTED GENERATION

As mentioned above, basic tangible benefits that may be derived out of such sort of
distributed or dispersed or decentralized generation are the following.

• Easy and quicker installation on account of prefabricated standardized

components
• Lowering of cost by avoiding long distance high voltage transmission
• Environment friendly where renewable sources are used
• Running cost more or less constant over the period of time with the use of
renewable sources
• Possibility of user-operator participation due to lesser complexity
• More dependability with simple construction, and consequent easy operation and
maintenance

Of course the issue of intermittent supply may be a big issue, particularly when
backup supply from grid does not exist. Initial cost too may be high depending
upon location in a number of cases.

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 6. CONCLUSION

Distributed generation (DG) has much potential to improve distribution system

performance. The use of DG strongly contributes to a clean, reliable and cost
effective energy for future. The range of DG technologies and the variability in
their size, performance, and suitable applications suggest that DG could provide
power supply solutions in many different industrial, commercial, and residential
settings. In this way, DG is contributing to improving the security of electricity
supply. However, distribution system designs and operating practices are normally
based on radial power flow and this creates a significant challenge for the
successful integration of DG system. As the issues are new and are the key for
sustainable future power supply, a lot of research is required to study their impact
and exploit them to the full extent.

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 7. FUTURE SCOPE

• Possible future methods include risk-based planning and advanced

monitoring schemes combined with curtailment of production and
consumption.
• Future generations of electric vehicles may have the ability to deliver power
from the battery in a vehicle-to-grid into the grid when needed. An electric
vehicle network could also be an important distributed generation resource.
• The developed dynamic model of SOFC based DG system can be used along
with micro-turbine based DG system for combined operation to increase the
efficiency of the complete system.

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