DISTRIBUTED ENERGY
RESOURCES
• Distributed energy resources are small, modular, energy generation and
storage technologies that provide electric capacity or energy where needed.
Typically producing less than 10 megawatts (MW) of power, DER systems
can be sized to meet your particular needs and installed on site. DER
systems may be either connected to the local electric power grid or isolated
from the grid in stand-alone applications. DER technologies include wind
turbines, photovoltaic (PV), fuel cells, micro turbines, reciprocating engines,
combustion turbines, cogeneration, and energy storage systems.
• DER systems can be used in several ways. They can help you manage
energy bills and ensure reliable power by augmenting your current energy
services. DER systems also enable a facility to operate independently of the
electric power grid, whether by choice or out of necessity. Certain DER
systems can even lower emissions and improve fuel utilization on-site.
Utilities can use DER technologies to delay, reduce, or even eliminate the
need to obtain additional power generation, transmission, and distribution
equipment and infrastructure. At the same time, DER systems can provide
voltage support and enhance local reliability.
Created By: Zaid Thakor
, Benefits of distributed energy resources
• Distributed energy resources have the potential to provide consumers with a
range of benefits:
• Consumers who install DER units may be able to reduce the price they pay
for electricity or may obtain improved reliability outcomes.
• DER may also help reduce the cost of power system augmentation, helping
to reduce the overall cost of supply faced by consumers.
• Increased penetration of DER may also help reduce the overall emissions
intensity of the NEM, by displacing other more emissions-intensive
generation.
• While DER provides a range of benefits, it also includes a range of relatively
new and developing technologies. Power systems and networks need to
adjust to the effects of these new technologies. It is important that these
initial issues are recognized and addressed in order to ensure that the
benefits of DER can be fully realized.
Types of DER technologies
• Microturbines
• Microturbines are small combustion turbines that produce between 25 kW
and 500 kW of power. Microturbines were derived from turbocharger
technologies found in large trucks or the turbines in aircraft auxiliary power
units.
• Combustion Turbines
• Conventional combustion turbine (CT) generators typically range in size
from about 500 kW up to 25 MW for DER, and up to approximately 250
MW for central power generation. They are fueled by natural gas, oil, or a
combination of fuels ("dual fuel"). Modern single-cycle combustion turbine
units typically have efficiencies in the range of 20 to 45% at full load.
Efficiency is somewhat lower at less than full load.
Created By: Zaid Thakor
RESOURCES
• Distributed energy resources are small, modular, energy generation and
storage technologies that provide electric capacity or energy where needed.
Typically producing less than 10 megawatts (MW) of power, DER systems
can be sized to meet your particular needs and installed on site. DER
systems may be either connected to the local electric power grid or isolated
from the grid in stand-alone applications. DER technologies include wind
turbines, photovoltaic (PV), fuel cells, micro turbines, reciprocating engines,
combustion turbines, cogeneration, and energy storage systems.
• DER systems can be used in several ways. They can help you manage
energy bills and ensure reliable power by augmenting your current energy
services. DER systems also enable a facility to operate independently of the
electric power grid, whether by choice or out of necessity. Certain DER
systems can even lower emissions and improve fuel utilization on-site.
Utilities can use DER technologies to delay, reduce, or even eliminate the
need to obtain additional power generation, transmission, and distribution
equipment and infrastructure. At the same time, DER systems can provide
voltage support and enhance local reliability.
Created By: Zaid Thakor
, Benefits of distributed energy resources
• Distributed energy resources have the potential to provide consumers with a
range of benefits:
• Consumers who install DER units may be able to reduce the price they pay
for electricity or may obtain improved reliability outcomes.
• DER may also help reduce the cost of power system augmentation, helping
to reduce the overall cost of supply faced by consumers.
• Increased penetration of DER may also help reduce the overall emissions
intensity of the NEM, by displacing other more emissions-intensive
generation.
• While DER provides a range of benefits, it also includes a range of relatively
new and developing technologies. Power systems and networks need to
adjust to the effects of these new technologies. It is important that these
initial issues are recognized and addressed in order to ensure that the
benefits of DER can be fully realized.
Types of DER technologies
• Microturbines
• Microturbines are small combustion turbines that produce between 25 kW
and 500 kW of power. Microturbines were derived from turbocharger
technologies found in large trucks or the turbines in aircraft auxiliary power
units.
• Combustion Turbines
• Conventional combustion turbine (CT) generators typically range in size
from about 500 kW up to 25 MW for DER, and up to approximately 250
MW for central power generation. They are fueled by natural gas, oil, or a
combination of fuels ("dual fuel"). Modern single-cycle combustion turbine
units typically have efficiencies in the range of 20 to 45% at full load.
Efficiency is somewhat lower at less than full load.
Created By: Zaid Thakor
