Distributed Generation: Definitions, Benefits, Technologies & Challenges

High levels of penetration of distributed generation (DG) are a new challenge for traditional electric power systems. Power injections from DGs change network power flows, modifying energy losses and voltage profile of the system. This paper starts from the observation that there is a renewed interest in small-scale electricity generation. The author start with a survey of existing small-scale generation technologies and then move on with a discussion of the major benefits and issues of small scale electricity generation. An attempt is made to define the latter concepts more precisely. It appears that there is no consensus on a precise definition as the concept encompasses many technologies and applications. In a final section some of the current challenges and activities around interconnected these resources to the utility grid.