Fossil-Fueled DER
Distributed energy (DE) technologies consist primarily of energy generation and storage systems placed at or near the point of use. DE provides consumers with greater reliability, adequate power quality, and the possibility to participate in competitive electric power markets. DE also has the potential to mitigate congestion in transmission lines, control price fluctuations, strengthen energy security, and provide greater stability to the electricity grid. The use of DE technologies can lead to lower emissions and, particularly in combined heat and power (CHP) applications, to improved efficiency.
DE encompasses a range of technologies including: gas-fired reciprocating engines, industrial gas turbines, microturbines and thermally-activated technologies. DE also involves load reduction and energy management technologies, as well as power electronic interfaces, communications and control devices, multiple system packages, and aggregated blocks of power. The primary fuel for many distributed generation systems is natural gas, but hydrogen may play an important role in the future. Renewable energy technologies—such as solar electricity, solar buildings, biomass power, and wind turbines—are also popular (see Renewable DER tab).
Gas-Fueled Technologies Since the 1980s, natural gas—which consists mostly of methane—has become increasingly popular for power generation. A combination of new technologies and regulatory changes has been responsible for this shift. Natural gas has several advantages over some renewable energy technologies: the fuel source is continuously available, the up-front cost of generating equipment is typically lower, and the generators themselves are more compact than most renewable power systems. To help ensure continuity of service, local gas companies can store natural gas underground for use during periods of peak demand. Underground storage accounts for about 20% of the natural gas consumed each winter.
Although diesel- and petrol-fueled reciprocating engines are one of the most common DE technologies, especially for standby power applications, they create significant pollution (in terms of both emissions and noise) relative to natural gas- and renewable-fueled technologies, and their use is actively discouraged by many municipal governments. Recently, cleaner gas-fired reciprocating engines have been developed to address these concerns.
Content Credit: U.S. Department of Energy - Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy
DE encompasses a range of technologies including: gas-fired reciprocating engines, industrial gas turbines, microturbines and thermally-activated technologies. DE also involves load reduction and energy management technologies, as well as power electronic interfaces, communications and control devices, multiple system packages, and aggregated blocks of power. The primary fuel for many distributed generation systems is natural gas, but hydrogen may play an important role in the future. Renewable energy technologies—such as solar electricity, solar buildings, biomass power, and wind turbines—are also popular (see Renewable DER tab).
Gas-Fueled Technologies Since the 1980s, natural gas—which consists mostly of methane—has become increasingly popular for power generation. A combination of new technologies and regulatory changes has been responsible for this shift. Natural gas has several advantages over some renewable energy technologies: the fuel source is continuously available, the up-front cost of generating equipment is typically lower, and the generators themselves are more compact than most renewable power systems. To help ensure continuity of service, local gas companies can store natural gas underground for use during periods of peak demand. Underground storage accounts for about 20% of the natural gas consumed each winter.
Although diesel- and petrol-fueled reciprocating engines are one of the most common DE technologies, especially for standby power applications, they create significant pollution (in terms of both emissions and noise) relative to natural gas- and renewable-fueled technologies, and their use is actively discouraged by many municipal governments. Recently, cleaner gas-fired reciprocating engines have been developed to address these concerns.
Content Credit: U.S. Department of Energy - Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy