Development of technical support principles of systems with distributed generation on the basis of «Smart Grid» concept

Project author: National Mining University, Department of Renewable Energy Sources, Dnepropetrovsk (Ukraine).

Project objective: development and justification of the technical support principles of distributed generation systems with the use of renewable energy sources based on the concept of �Smart Grid�

Project background: Distribution networks in Ukraine suffer huge changes under the influence of such factors as the increasing need for integration of renewable energy sources, aging equipment, and low energy efficiency of industrial enterprises. A range of issues outlined in the domestic sector of energy distribution, including significant losses in the grids, equipment depreciation, low development degree of management systems of fixed-capital assets, restricted functionality of monitoring and control systems. Distribution networks at the design stage were not designed to connect a large number of local sources of electric energy. In addition, they are poorly equipped with modern means of technical monitoring and they have a significant length. Taking into account above mentioned problems in conjunction with various internal constraints of electric power systems (capital intensive infrastructure, difficulties of new transmission lines construction, increasing complexity, interaction with the final consumer etc.), the evolution of given grids must include the integration of some form of intelligence in its structure and management tools. The application of �Smart Grid� concept allows consumers to manage the processes of energy generation and consumption, makes it possible not only to increase the efficiency of energy transfer, but also to reduce CO2 emissions and to implement and effectively operate the distributed generation, for example, based on renewable energy sources.