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By definition, distributed energy resources are relatively small, only up to 10 or 20 MW versus the central station model ranging to 1,000 MW and more. That means that, individually, their contributions to energy management and ancillary services on the grid are often small. However, if many distributed energy resources can be aggregated and controlled as a single unit, their effect-and their potential-grows immensely.
Some examples:
The following documents are available as Adobe Acrobat PDFs. Download Acrobat Reader.
Aggregated Distributed Generators Participate In Power Markets
One goal of aggregation is to make groups of distributed generators dispatchable from a single control point. If groups of distributed generators can be controlled in this way, they can be used to provide spinning reserve, interruptible load, and peak power to the grid and independent system operators.
The following documents summarize work to aggregate distributed generators. Explore them to learn more about what has been accomplished.
- New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and Electrotek Concepts: Aggregating Distributed Generation (PDF 357 KB). A fact sheet summarizing collaborative work with Distribution and Interconnection R&D.
- Aggregating Distributed Generators (PDF 997 KB). Presented at the Electric Distribution Transformation Annual Program and Peer Review Meeting, 2004, in Coronado, Calif.
- Aggregated Dispatch of DG Units (PDF 112 KB). Presented at the Distribution and Interconnection R&D Annual Review, 2003, in Arlington, Va.
- Aggregating Distributed Generators (PDF 564 KB). Presented at the Distributed Power Program Quarterly Review, July 2002, in Madison, Wis.
- Aggregated Distributed Generators (PDF 1.4 MB). Presented at the Distributed Power Program Annual Review, 2002, in Arlington, Va.
- Aggregated Distributed Generators (PDF 3.2 MB). Presented at the Distributed Power Program Quarterly Review, October 2001, in Golden, Colo.
- Aggregating Distributed Generators (PDF 1.3 MB). Presented at the Distributed Power Program Quarterly Review, July 2001, in Washington, D.C.
Aggregated Distributed Generators Serve Sensitive Loads
Although the electricity provided by the electric grid is reliable enough for most everyday applications, some industries suffer significant financial and production losses from even tiny blips in their service.
One advantage of distributed resource installations is their ability, when designed with such requirements in mind, to produce extremely high-quality and reliable electricity. Another advantage is their ability to provide power independent of grid conditions.
Through DOE, researchers are working to develop distributed energy systems that balance efficient generation with the production of high-quality, premium power for such critical loads.
The following documents summarize this work. Explore them to learn more about what has been accomplished.
- University of Wisconsin-Madison: Distributed Resources to Meet Demands of High-Value Power (PDF 221 KB). A fact sheet summarizing collaborative work with Distribution and Interconnection R&D.
- Operation and Control of a Microgrid for Feeding Sensitive Loads (PDF 657 KB). Presented at the Electric Distribution Transformation Annual Program and Peer Review Meeting, 2004, in Coronado, Calif.
- Hardware Demonstration of Distributed Resources for Feeding Sensitive Loads (PDF 118 KB). Presented at the Distribution and Interconnection R&D Annual Review, 2003, in Arlington, Va.
- Hardware Demonstration of the Feasibility and Value of Distributed Resources as a Solution to the Sensitive Load Problem (PDF 650 KB). Presented at the Distributed Power Program Quarterly Review, July 2002, in Madison, Wis.
- Hardware Demonstration of the Feasibility and Value of Distributed Resources as a Solution to the Sensitive Load Problem (PDF 2.8 MB). Presented at the Distributed Power Program Annual Review, 2002, in Arlington, Va.
- Hardware Demonstration of the Feasibility and Value of Distributed Resources as a Solution to the Sensitive Load Problem (PDF 7.3 MB). Presented at the Distributed Power Program Quarterly Review, October 2001, in Golden, Colo.
- Hardware Demonstration of the Feasibility and Value of Distributed Resources as a Solution to the Sensitive Load Problem (PDF 541 KB). Presented at the Distributed Power Program Quarterly Review, July 2001, in Washington, D.C.
Aggregated Distributed Generators Integrate Into Complete Building Systems
In this area, research will identify system integration and implementation issues for distributed generation and develop and test potential solutions to these issues. The long-term goal is to design ways to extend distributed generation into the physical design and controls of a building itself. This work will provide data to identify the range of issues for integrated distributed generation and to determine solutions for a range of power users — from small industry to residences.
The following documents summarize work on system integration of distributed power for complete building systems. Explore them to learn more.
- NiSource Energy Technologies Inc.: System Integration of Distributed Power for Complete Building Systems (PDF 271 KB). A fact sheet summarizing collaborative work with Distribution and Interconnection R&D.
- System Integration of Distributed Power for Complete Building Systems (PDF 716 KB). Presented at the Electric Distribution Transformation Annual Program and Peer Review Meeting, 2004, in Coronado, Calif.
- Program to Develop Advances in Combined Heat and Power Systems (PDF 3.5 MB). Presented at the Distributed Power Program Quarterly Review, July 2002, in Madison, Wis.
- System Integration of Distributed Power for Complete Building Systems (PDF 1.6 MB). Presented at the Distributed Power Program Annual Review, 2002, in Arlington, Va.
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