DG embraces a palette of technologies in varying stages of availability The buzz on Wall Street and Madison Avenue says that microturbines and fuel cells are powering many new distributed generation projects. But their actual numbers remain small. Gas engines still win hands down for capacities under 3 MW, they tie with gas turbines from 3 to 10 MW, and the gas turbines take over from there

Distributed generation (DG) today encompasses far more than just the generating equipment. It demands consideration of: 1. interconnection for possible revenue generation, 2. power conditioning equipment to provide reliable, clean electricity to minimize the potential for facility and process upsets...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Power 2002-10, Vol.146 (7), p.45-50
Main Authors: Wicker, Ken, SOURCE, PlattsE
Format: Magazinearticle
Language:English
Subjects:
Blackouts
Cost control
Electricity
Electricity distribution
Energy
Engines
Fuel cells
Gas turbines
Generators
Industrial equipment
Industrial plant emissions
Merchant banks
Natural gas distribution
Police departments
Process controls
Technological change
Turbines
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Summary:Distributed generation (DG) today encompasses far more than just the generating equipment. It demands consideration of: 1. interconnection for possible revenue generation, 2. power conditioning equipment to provide reliable, clean electricity to minimize the potential for facility and process upsets, and 3. energy storage to protect against outages. DG technology has improved and expanded to include a range of alternatives, from innovative technologies like fuel cells and microturbines to the more traditional reciprocating engines and gas turbines fueled by natural gas. There is no single best-technology choice for DG applications. The decision on whether or not to deploy DG equipment will depend in large measure on annual operating hours and the amount of capacity needed. These two factors establish the criteria for the importance of product attributes.
ISSN:0032-5929
1936-7791