Distributed Energy (DE) systems generate electricity and heat near to the end user and may or may not be connected to the distribution network. Analysis has shown that increased deployment of distributed energy could reduce UK CO2 emissions associated with heat and power generation by up to 30%.
The technology to produce DE exists, but there are many issues to be resolved before widespread deployment can be achieved – such as fluctuation of supply, user demand profiles, energy storage effectiveness, and the ways in which DE can be imported from and exported to the distribution network.
Distributed Energy Projects
The ETI has considered a wide range of projects in Distributed Energy, ranging from those that could benefit individual householders, to those aimed at commercial or industrial sites, or even whole communities, typically producing energy from 1 kWe to 10 MWe.
The following projects will inform the ongoing strategic development of the ETI’s DE programme:
Energy from Waste
The first DE project, commissioned in October 2009, is beginning to address Energy from Waste (EfW) technologies, and specifically the need for fuel flexible power systems capable of operating on a range of wastes. The project is characterising and mapping the UK waste landscape, assess EfW technologies, identify opportunities for technology development, and assess the potential benefits from these opportunities (particularly CO2 emissions reduction, increased affordability and security of energy supply).
Macro DE
The Macro DE project, commissioned in February 2010, will address the possibilities for distributed energy generation at a sub 10MW level. The project will characterise the existing energy demand and supply profiles for typical UK site types and DE equipment, develop a software methodology to analyse combinations of sites to form aggregated zones which will enable optimised DE solutions within these zones.
Micro DE
The Micro DE project, commissioned in February 2010, will focus on the building management system and the integration of Micro DE devices to enable building users to meet their needs cost-effectively by providing an effective user interface and adaptive control (with appropriate inputs from the rest of the equipment, including building sensors).
The Request for Proposals for the Assessment of Control and Safe Operation of Gas Engine and Gas Turbine Operations for High Hydrogen Content Gases in Combined Cycle and CHP applications has now closed.