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Distributed Generation (DG) is generation of electricity by small-scale power plants located near the electric loads they serve.
Distributed Generation (DG) is generation of electricity by small-scale power plants located near the electric loads they serve.  


Distributed generation networks act like peer-to-peer file sharing systems like bit torrent on the internet rather than the primitive internet and conventional grid with few centers of information and energy, respectively. DG is therefore much less susceptible to large-scale power outages caused by natural or the increasing number of manmade disasters that threaten national security.
Distributed generation networks act like [[peer-to-peer]] file sharing systems like bit torrent on the internet, rather than the primitive internet and conventional grid with few centers of information and energy, respectively. DG is therefore much less susceptible to large-scale power outages caused by natural or the increasing number of man made disasters that threaten national security.


Distributed generation is also known as i) Back-up Generation, ii) Stand-by Generation, iii) Cogeneration or Cogen, iv) Combined Heat and Power (CHP), v) Renewable Generation, and vi) Remote Power.
==Alternative terms ==
 
Distributed generation is also known as:
# [[Back-up generation]],  
# [[Stand-by generation]],
# [[Cogeneration]] or [[Cogen]],  
# [[Combined Heat and Power]] ([[CHP]]),  
# [[Renewable generation]],  
# [[Remote power]]


==Types of Distributed Generation Technologies==
==Types of Distributed Generation Technologies==


* [[Microturbines]] -- Microturbines are small combustion turbines that produce between 25 kW and 500 kW of electric [[power]] and allow for the waste [[heat]] to be captured.  
===Generators which require a fuel supply===
* [[Combustion Turbines]]
* [[Microturbines]] -- Microturbines are small combustion turbines that produce between 25 kW and 500 kW of electric [[power]] and allow for the waste [[heat]] to be captured.  These can run on flare gas.
* [[Reciprocating Engines]] - Reciprocating engines use one or more pistons to convert pressure into a rotating motion  they  are the most common and most technically mature of all DG technologies.  
* [[Combustion turbines]] - Gas turbines are generally used for loads from 500kW upwards.
* [[Stirling Engines]]- Stirling engines are classed as external combustion engines - sealed systems with an inert working fluid, usually air, helium or hydrogen.  
* [[Reciprocating engines]] - Diesel or petrol engines use one or more pistons to convert pressure into a rotating motion  they  are the most common and most technically mature of all DG technologies.  
* [[Fuel Cells]] - A fuel cell is an electrochemical device in which the energy of a chemical reaction is converted directly into electricity. By combining H2 fuel with O2 from air, electricity is formed, without combustion of any form. H2O and heat are the only by-products when H2 is used as the fuel source.
* [[Stirling engines]]- Stirling engines are classed as external combustion engines - sealed systems with an inert working fluid, usually air, helium or hydrogen. Thes can work with any heat source if it is hot enough.  
* Solar [[Photovoltaics]] - Photovoltaic (PV) systems convert light energy directly into electricity.  Solar photovoltiacs are a technically feasibile and sustianabile solution to our future energy needs. Commonly known as “[[solar cells]].”  
* [[Fuel cells]] - A fuel cell is an electrochemical device in which the energy of a chemical reaction is converted directly into electricity. By combining H2 fuel with O2 from air, electricity is formed, without combustion of any form. H2O and heat are the only by-products when H2 is used as the fuel source. These generally need a high quality fuel source as contaminants in the fuel can poison the catalysts and reduce the efficiency of the fuel cell.
* [[Wind Turbines]] - Wind turbines use the wind to produce electrical power
 
===Generators which use natural energy sources===
Where it is expensive to deliver fuel to the generator then generators which can use local natural energy sources are more appropriate.
* Solar [[Photovoltaics]] - Photovoltaic (PV) systems convert light energy directly into electricity.  Solar photovoltiacs are a technically feasible and sustainable solution to our future energy needs. Commonly known as “[[solar cells]].” The more sunlight there is the more electricity generated for each square meter of solar cell so these are most effective where there is little cloud cover.
* [[Wind turbines]] - [[Wind]] turbines use the wind to produce electrical [[power]]
* Small scale [[Hydroelectricity]] use the flow of water downhill to generate electricity
 
== Education on DG ==
* [http://www.dg.history.vt.edu/index.html DG Education Modules] sponsored by the NSF
 
== Interwiki links ==
 
* [[Wikipedia:Distributed generation]]


[[Category:Electricity]]
[[Category:Energy]]
[[Category:Energy]]
[[Category:Photovoltaics]]
[[Category:Electricity generation]]

Revision as of 02:06, 4 December 2017

Distributed Generation (DG) is generation of electricity by small-scale power plants located near the electric loads they serve.

Distributed generation networks act like peer-to-peer file sharing systems like bit torrent on the internet, rather than the primitive internet and conventional grid with few centers of information and energy, respectively. DG is therefore much less susceptible to large-scale power outages caused by natural or the increasing number of man made disasters that threaten national security.

Alternative terms

Distributed generation is also known as:

  1. Back-up generation,
  2. Stand-by generation,
  3. Cogeneration or Cogen,
  4. Combined Heat and Power (CHP),
  5. Renewable generation,
  6. Remote power

Types of Distributed Generation Technologies

Generators which require a fuel supply

  • Microturbines -- Microturbines are small combustion turbines that produce between 25 kW and 500 kW of electric power and allow for the waste heat to be captured. These can run on flare gas.
  • Combustion turbines - Gas turbines are generally used for loads from 500kW upwards.
  • Reciprocating engines - Diesel or petrol engines use one or more pistons to convert pressure into a rotating motion they are the most common and most technically mature of all DG technologies.
  • Stirling engines- Stirling engines are classed as external combustion engines - sealed systems with an inert working fluid, usually air, helium or hydrogen. Thes can work with any heat source if it is hot enough.
  • Fuel cells - A fuel cell is an electrochemical device in which the energy of a chemical reaction is converted directly into electricity. By combining H2 fuel with O2 from air, electricity is formed, without combustion of any form. H2O and heat are the only by-products when H2 is used as the fuel source. These generally need a high quality fuel source as contaminants in the fuel can poison the catalysts and reduce the efficiency of the fuel cell.

Generators which use natural energy sources

Where it is expensive to deliver fuel to the generator then generators which can use local natural energy sources are more appropriate.

  • Solar Photovoltaics - Photovoltaic (PV) systems convert light energy directly into electricity. Solar photovoltiacs are a technically feasible and sustainable solution to our future energy needs. Commonly known as “solar cells.” The more sunlight there is the more electricity generated for each square meter of solar cell so these are most effective where there is little cloud cover.
  • Wind turbines - Wind turbines use the wind to produce electrical power
  • Small scale Hydroelectricity use the flow of water downhill to generate electricity

Education on DG

Interwiki links

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