Distributed energy resources and benefits to the environment

Abstract

The recently released report of the International Energy Outlook (IEO2009) projects an increase of 44% in the world energy demand from 2006 to 2030, and 77% rise in the net electricity generation worldwide in the same period. However, threatening in the said report is that 80% of the total generation in 2030 would be produced from fossil fuels. This global dependence on fossil fuels is dangerous to our environment in terms of their emissions unless specific policies and measures are put in place. Nevertheless, recent research reveals that a reduction in the emissions of these gases is possible with widespread adoption of distributed generation (DG) technologies that feed on renewable energy sources, in the generation of electric power. This paper gives a detailed overview of distributed energy resources technologies, and also discusses the devastating impacts of the conventional power plants feeding on fossil fuels to our environment. The study finally justifies how DG technologies could substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions when fully adopted; hence, reducing the public concerns over human health risks caused by the conventional method of electricity generation.

Modeling of thermal storage systems in MILP distributed energy resource models

“…Key benefits of DER usage include increased power reliability, higher renewable grid penetration, reduced carbon emissions and improved use of local energy resources [2,3]; however, DER systems can also lead to higher complexity of system design, as well as additional issues, such as the need for power quality management and access control infrastructure when interconnected to the grid [4].…”

Model-based multi-parametric programming strategies towards the integration of design, control and operational optimization

“…[30,53,272]) are all seeking for ways to reduce the impact that energy consumption has on the day-to-day as well as the industrial level. Among the alternative scenarios considered, the concept of decentralized energy production via distributed systems (presented in Figure 3.1) is being considered as appealing for a variety of reasons summarized below [4,30,205]: E ciency: The production of several energy forms from a single intensified process results into an improved overall system e ciency. Distributed systems such as cogeneration units can produce, through a single process, the cooling, heating and electrical power requirements to a single or a series of residencies using the same amount of fuel.…”

“…or indirectly via the use of biofuels within the realm of cogeneration. The advantages posed by such an approach are mainly environmental as the greenhouse gas, sulfur and nitrogen oxide emissions are reduced [4,30].…”

“…The timevarying optimization variables are piecewise-constant functions of time over a number of intervals which are specified by the user according to the needs of each problem. Note that the duration of the intervals in each step are in this case determined by the user to be equal in duration with the control time step for synchronization purposes 4 . The single vector shooting dynamic optimization can be decomposed as follows 5 :…”

Implications of integrating electricity supply dynamics into life cycle assessment: A case study of renewable distributed generation

“…Distributed generation (DG) using renewable energy systems (RES) is often proposed as a sustainable solution to comply with current energy policies such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adding supply to meet increasing demand [20]. Recent work modeling DG life cycle environmental impacts using RES and, more precisely, grid-connected photovoltaic panels and micro-wind turbines in the province of Quebec indicated an abatement of environmental impact when oil electricity emissions are avoided 2 in Quebec adjacent markets (i.e., Northeastern American market) from a short-term perspective [21].…”