Distributed Generation and Renewable Energy Integration into the Grid: Prerequisites, Push Factors, Practical Options, Issues and Merits

Chu Donatus Iweh, Samuel Gyamfi, Emmanuel Tanyi and Eric Effah-Donyina
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Chu Donatus Iweh: Regional Centre for Energy and Environmental Sustainability (RCEES), School of Engineering, University of Energy and Natural Resources, P.O. Box 214 Sunyani, Ghana
Samuel Gyamfi: Regional Centre for Energy and Environmental Sustainability (RCEES), School of Engineering, University of Energy and Natural Resources, P.O. Box 214 Sunyani, Ghana
Emmanuel Tanyi: Faculty of Engineering and Technology, University of Buea, P.O. Box 63 Buea, Cameroon
Eric Effah-Donyina: Regional Centre for Energy and Environmental Sustainability (RCEES), School of Engineering, University of Energy and Natural Resources, P.O. Box 214 Sunyani, Ghana

Energies, 2021, vol. 14, issue 17, 1-34

Abstract: Power system operators are in search of proven solutions to improve the penetration levels of distributed generators (DGs) in the grid while minimizing cost. This transition is driven, among others, by global climate concerns, the growing power demand, the need for greater flexibility, the ageing grid infrastructure and the need to diversify sources of energy production. Distributed renewables would not easily substitute the conventional electric grid system, perhaps because the latter is a well-established technology and it would not be prudent to abandon it, while the new distributed renewable energy technologies are generally not adequately developed to support the total load. Thus, it is becoming increasingly necessary to consider sustainable options such as integrating renewable energy sources into the existing power grid. This study is a review that is mainly hinged on distributed generation (DG) classification, the challenges of DG to grid integration, practical options used in DG integration, lessons learned from some countries with successful DG to grid integration, push factors in the growth of DGs and the merits of DG to grid integration. These standpoints of DG to grid interconnection are critical in conducting grid planning and operational studies, which should be conducted in strict observance of aspects such as optimal technology selection, optimal capacity and a suitable connection point of DGs in the network. Therefore, the perspectives highlighted regarding DG can assist power system engineers, developers of DG plants and policymakers in developing a power network that is stable, efficient and reliable.

Keywords: grid integration; grid planning; harmonics; optimal capacity; penetration levels; power network (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (24)

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