Based on one of the hottest topics in the electrical industry, Essentials of Distributed Generation Systems provides a concise overview of the five most prominent distributed generation technologies in the market: solar power, wind power, fuel cells, microturbines, and engine-generators. Logically arranged, the first half of the text examines the strengths and weaknesses of each system, summarizing the components, operations, and limitations users will encounter with the use of these systems. A broader approach is taken in the second half of the book, with the author discussing common factors that affect each of the alternative technologies. With its accessible writing style and easy-to-use format, Essentials of Distributed Generation Systems is an ideal summary of available distributed generation systems and a helpfulon-the-job tool.

The integration of new sources of energy like wind power, solar-power, small-scale generation, or combined heat and power in the power grid is something that impacts a lot of stakeholders: network companies (both distribution and transmission), the owners and operators of the DG units, other end-users of the power grid (including normal consumers like you and me) and not in the least policy makers and regulators. There is a lot of misunderstanding about the impact of DG on the power grid, with one side (including mainly some but certainly not all, network companies) claiming that the lights will go out soon, whereas the other side (including some DG operators and large parks of the general public) claiming that there is nothing to worry about and that it's all a conspiracy of the large production companies that want to protect their own interests and keep the electricity price high. The authors are of the strong opinion that this is NOT the way one should approach such an important subject as the integration of new, more environmentally friendly, sources of energy in the power grid. With this book the authors aim to bring some clarity to the debate allowing all stakeholders together to move to a solution. This book will introduce systematic and transparent methods for quantifying the impact of DG on the power grid.

This book systematically discusses (a) Distributed Generation (DG), which operates in a single, stand-alone controllable system mode, and (b) the Microgrid (MG) powered by DG, along with the technical concepts, the impact on power systems, control and optimisation techniques, and their applications. It includes ten chapters that focus on the following five aspects: 1) An overview of distributed generation is introduced in Chapter One, and the technical concept of the microgrid is introduced in Chapter Eight with detail; 2) As the main element of distributed generation (DG), a smart inverter system for the control of active and reactive power in a grid-tied mode, which is treated as an interface between grid and the RES (Renewable Energy System), is studied concretely in Chapter Two; 3) The influence of distributed generation on power systems, including the impact of DG on the planning and operation of power systems, the impact of DG on power quality, and power system protection are concretely described and analysed in Chapters Three, Four and Five, respectively; ) The control and optimisation technologies for DG and MG. These techniques include: the Economic Model Predictive Control (EMPC) strategy for the solution of pricing management in community-based microgrids (MGs), which consider economic benefits as the control and optimisation objects; the distributed control and optimisation techniques for islanded microgrids (MGs) that consider stability as the control and optimisation objects; the intelligent load shedding for stability enhancement in an autonomous microgrid; and the recovery (restoration) control after a contingency situation. These are all investigated in Chapters Six, Seven, Eight and Nine, respectively; 5) The applications of renewable energy technology, such as efficient artisanal light fishing technologies that exploit lake light physics and light-fish interactions, are specifically presented in Chapter Ten.

The economics and locations of sustainable energy sources have meant that many of these new generators are connected into distribution networks. It is recognized that the information flow and control of distribution networks is inadequate for these future low-carbon electricity supply systems. The future distribution network will change its operation from passive to active, and the distributed generators will be controlled to support the operation of the power system. In many countries this transformation of electricity supply is managed through energy markets and privately owned, regulated transmission and distribution systems. --

This book features extensive coverage of all Distributed Energy Generation technologies, highlighting the technical, environmental and economic aspects of distributed resource integration, such as line loss reduction, protection, control, storage, power electronics, reliability improvement, and voltage profile optimization. It explains how electric power system planners, developers, operators, designers, regulators and policy makers can derive many benefits with increased penetration of distributed generation units into smart distribution networks. It further demonstrates how to best realize these benefits via skillful integration of distributed energy sources, based upon an understanding of the characteristics of loads and network configuration.

Electricity transmission and distribution systems carry electricity from suppliers to demand sites. During transmission materials ageing and performance issues can lead to losses amounting to about 10% of the total generated electricity. Advanced grid technologies are therefore in development to sustain higher network efficiency, while also maintaining power quality and security.Electricity transmission, distribution and storage systems presents a comprehensive review of the materials, architecture and performance of electricity transmission and distribution networks, and the application and integration of electricity storage systems.The first part of the book reviews the fundamental issues facing electricity networks, with chapters discussing Transmission and Distribution (T&D) infrastructure, reliability and engineering, regulation and planning, the protection of T&D networks and the integration of distributed energy resources to the grid. Chapters in part two review the development of transmission and distribution system, with advanced concepts such as FACTS and HVDC, as well as advanced materials such as superconducting material and network components. This coverage is extended in the final section with chapters reviewing materials and applications of electricity storage systems for use in networks, for renewable and distributed generation plant, and in buildings and vehicles, such as batteries and other advanced electricity storage devices.With its distinguished editor, Electricity transmission, distribution and storage systems is an essential reference for materials and electrical engineers, energy consultants, T&D systems designers and technology manufacturers involved in advanced transmission and distribution. - Presents a comprehensive review of the materials, architecture and performance of electricity transmission and distribution networks - Examines the application and integration of electricity storage systems - Reviews the fundamental issues facing electricity networks and examines the development of transmission and distribution systems

This textbook provides a comprehensive overview of smart grids, their role in the development of new electricity systems, as well as issues and problems related to smart grid evolution, operation, management, control, protection, entities and components. The book consists of eleven chapters, covering core topics such as energy, environmental issues, basic of power systems, introduction to renewable energy, distributed generation and energy storage, smart grid challenges, benefits and drivers, smart power transmission and distribution. It includes chapters focusing on smart grid communication, power flow analysis, smart grid design tools, energy management and microgrids. Each chapter ends with several practical and advanced problems that instilling critical thinking and applies to industrial applications. The book can be used as an introductory and basic textbook, reference and training resource by engineers, students, faculty and interested readers to gain the essential knowledge of the power and energy systems, smart grid fundamentals, concepts and features, as well as the main energy technologies, including how they work and operate, characteristics and how they are evaluated and selected for specific applications.