Reliability and Safety of Distributed Generation 1

[ivana24]

Reading a some articles about Distribution Generation Benefits I found that
-Distributed Generation improves reliability
-Distributed Generation improves safety

Can somebody explain to me
(1) How or Why Distributed Generation improves Reliability ?
(1) How or Why Distributed Generation improves Safety ?
Thanks

 

[HornTootinEE]

Reliability: Local generation removes the exposure of long distance transmission lines and distribution lines to the elements of weather, wildlife, cars, etc. However, you are now subject to the reliability of the local generating station vs. the traditional transmission and distribution lines to serve load centers that are located a fair distance from it's generation source. It will improve the established reliability indices in many cases-but again, there are alot of places (large urban areas) that would be very difficult to improve reliability as many large urban areas already have quite a few options for feeding loads. The reliability argument has some merit if your load area continues to be connected to a utility source. Any line can fail at any time, so even if you are running a small scale like a generator on your house, you are still subject to equipment reliability of some sort.

There are remote areas of the US that distributed or local generation would make alot of sense for reliability purpose. These areas are usually fed by miles of rural distribution, which by nature of the beast can be unreliable at times. A local generator removes that distance exposure element.

Safety: I don't see how it improves safety, many safeguards need to be put in place to use distributed generation. Whose safety does it improve? Certainly not lineworker's safety (without appropriate safeguards) Whenever a private generator backfeeds utility systems, there is a danger of energizing a downed line, energizing a line being worked on, etc-hence extra safeguards.

With the traditional vertically integrated utility structure (utility owns generation, transmission, and distribution) the utility controls all aspects of that system so they can control their safety practices and those of the public. When private owners begin connecting their generators to the utility systems, it's on the utility to continue their safe operating practices-which is why there can be very stringent requirements for a privately held generator connecting to the utility system. These arguments do change at transmission vs. distribution levels just based on the way those two systems operate. transmission operates differntly than distribution, which means connection requirements and operating specifics are likely different.