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Decentralized Power Generation: Technology Penetration and Roadmapping
Frost & Sullivan, June 2011, Pages: 58
Decentralized Power Generation Increases Electric Grid Reliability and Efficiency
Lower Transmission Losses Makes Decentralized Generation More Feasible than Centralized Generation
Decentralized (distributed) power generation, with its reduced electric grid transmission and distribution losses, higher grid reliability, and lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, is poised to partly replace large central power plants. Distributed generation (DG) could eliminate, or at least reduce, the instances of black outs that are associated with electric grid relying only on big central plants. Decentralized power generators are very important element of the future smart grid networks, as they enable the grid to operate in an ‘islandic mode’, wherein they deliver electricity, and sometimes heat, to the nearby consumers when the main power plant fails. DG technologies benefit not only the utilities directly but also end users. “Building dwellers are increasingly realizing the merit in adopting small gas engines and microturbines in the near term and fuel cells in the long term to generate domestic combined heat and power (CHP),” says the analyst of this research. “Besides domestic CHP units, roof-mounted small wind turbines and PV panels will also be popular among end users, as they allow them to sell excess energy produced by their generation units back to the grid.”
DG units are able to significantly reduce transmission losses by generating energy near its end use. Small power generating units distributed throughout the city electric grid will be able to partly cover energy demands and ease the load on the main transmission lines between the central power plant and distributing stations. Decentralized power generating units (microturbines, solid oxide fuel cells) are often more efficient than central power plants and offer savings on primary fossil fuels usage. The adoption of renewable energy-based DG systems such as small wind, PV, solar thermal, and PEM fuel cells will further mitigate utilities dependence on fossil fuels and thereby, the emission of GHG. Currently, solar thermal heating is the most used DG technology, while electricity storage technologies are expected to be most popular in seven to nine years. However, before the mass introduction of DG technologies, developers have to resolve the issue of their integration with the main electric grid with the help of electric energy storage systems. Most DG units rely on intermittent energy sources such as wind or solar, which could create voltage and frequency fluctuations in the main electric grid. To remedy this issue, utilities have to deploy smart grids and advanced electricity storage and managing systems.
Industry participants must also strategize to cover for the nascence of some technologies such as fuel cells and PV, as their nascence makes them expensive. Once their performance and production scale increases, they will be priced lower and will not need government subsidies. “Until novel renewable energy sources achieve cost efficiency, power generators have to depend on proven DG technologies such as microturbines and gas engines,” notes the analyst. “However, as these two systems rely on natural gas, they are not likely to find uptake after 10-15 years due to the rising profiles of green technologies.” Developers can stave off most of these challenges by refining their technologies. They have to make the most of governments’ research financing programs and enlist the cooperation of companies with research institutions. These efforts and DG’s inherent benefits are expected to result in the market for decentralized power generating technologies tripling by 2015, with further expansions anticipated in the long term.
Technologies
The following technologies are covered in this research:
- Gas mictoturbines
- Gas engines
- Fuel cells
- Small hydro and ocean energy
- Small wind turbines
- Solar and photovoltaics
- Electric energy storage
This Frost & Sullivan research service titled Decentralized Power Generation: Technology Penetration and Roadmapping provides snapshots of the latest technology developments and analyses of the adoption trends of emerging decentralized generation technologies. Typical single DG units have capacities between 30kW and 300kW and can be connected in series to increase the power output. In this research, Frost & Sullivan's expert analysts thoroughly examine the following technologies: gas mictoturbines, gas engines, fuel cells, small hydro and ocean energy, small wind turbines, solar and photovoltaics (PV), and electric energy storage.
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