The Future of Distributed Power Generation: New technologies, changing economics and the impact of fuel cells

Abstract

Distributed power generation undergoing significant change as disparate pools of capacity give way to the establishment of integrated local generation. While distributed generation can reduce network losses and improve network stability, there are still a number of barriers including network connection costs, the operation of net metering and in some cases the application of market liberalisation. Resolution of these issues and efficiency gains in conventional, advanced fuel cell and renewable technologies will eventually lead to easier and faster integration of distributed generation and significant growth in distributed generating capacity. ' The Future of Distributed Power Generation' is a new report published by Business Insights that examines key environmental and legislative issues and analyses the technologies, efficiency and economics of conventional fossil fuel and advanced distributed generation. This new report analyses how demand for distributed generation capacity is likely to change as concern over energy security and network stability grows.

Executive Summary

Introduction
Network issues
Conventional fossil-fuel based distributed generation
Advanced fossil-fuel based distributed generation
Renewable technologies for distributed generation
Environmental and legislative issues
The economics of distributed generation
The outlook for distributed generation

Chapter 1 Introduction

Introduction
The history of distributed generation
Definition of distributed generation
Advantages of distributed generation
Types of distributed generation
Rural power
The structure of the report

Chapter 3 Conventional fossil-fuel based technologies for distributed generation

Introduction
Reciprocating engines
Engine cycles
Engine types
Engine speeds
Cogeneration with reciprocating engines
Engine emissions
Engine developments
Engine costs
Gas turbines
Turbine types and sizes
Gas turbines for cogeneration
Advanced gas turbine cycles
Gas turbine emissions
Gas turbine costs
Microturbines
Stirling engines

Chapter 4 Advanced fossil fuel-based technologies for distributed generation: Fuel cells

Introduction
The fuel cell principle
Phosphoric acid fuel cell
Proton exchange membrane fuel cell
Molten carbonate fuel cell
Solid oxide fuel cell
The fuel cell market

Chapter 5 Renewable technologies for distributed generation

Introduction
Solar power
Solar thermal power generation
Solar photovoltaic power generation
Wind power
Small hydropower
Small hydro technology
Small hydro costs
Marine technologies
Tidal energy
Wave energy
Ocean (tidal) stream generation
Comparison of distributed generation technologies

Chapter 6 Environmental and legislative issues

Introduction
Distributed generation based on fossil fuel combustion
Distributed generation based on renewable technologies
The environmental impact of distributed generation
Legislative issues
Conflict of interest
Capacity planning

Chapter 7 The economics of distributed power generation

Introduction
The cost of electricity
Distributed generation installation costs
Cost of electricity

Chapter 8 The outlook for distributed power generation

Introduction
The effect of market liberalization and policy initiatives
Policy drivers
Prospects

List of Figures

Figure 4.1: Annual fuel cell power plant sales (units sold), 1996-2007
Figure 5.2: Annual solar cell production and cumulative capacity (MW), 1999-2006
Figure 5.3: Cost comparison of solar technologies ($/kW)
Figure 5.4: Global wind capacity additions (MW)
Figure 5.5: Renewable distributed generation technology cost comparison ($/kW)
Figure 6.6: Efficiencies of fossil fuel generating technologies (%)
Figure 6.7: Nitrogen oxides emissions from fossil fuel units (g/MWh)
Figure 7.8: The value of electricity in the UK market (£/kWh)
Figure 7.9: Cost of electricity from distributed generation technologies ($/kWh)
Figure 8.10: Distributed generation market drivers and inhibitors
Figure 8.11: Forecast distributed generation capacity on the UK distribution network (MW)

List of Tables

Table 1.1: Installed Distributed Generation Units in US
Table 1.2: Definition of Distributed Generation
Table 2.3: Passive and active distribution networks
Table 3.4: Engines types
Table 3.5: Gas turbine types
Table 3.6: Technology comparison
Table 4.7: Phosphoric acid fuel cell
Table 4.8: Proton exchange membrane fuel cell
Table 4.9: Molten carbonate fuel cell
Table 4.10: Solid oxide fuel cell
Table 4.11: Annual fuel cell power plant sales (units sold), 1996-2007
Table 4.12: Technology comparison
Table 5.13: Annual solar cell production and cumulative capacity (MW), 1999-2006
Table 5.14: Comparison of solar technologies by size (MW) and cost ($/kW)
Table 5.15: Global wind capacity additions (MW)
Table 5.16: Small hydropower categories
Table 5.17: Renewable distributed generation technology comparison, capacity (kW/MW) and cost ($/kW)
Table 6.18: Efficiencies of fossil fuel generating technologies (%)
Table 6.19: Nitrogen oxides emissions from fossil fuel units (g/MWh)
Table 7.20: The value of electricity in the UK market (£/kWh)
Table 7.21: Distributed generation installation costs
Table 7.22: Cost of electricity from distributed generation technologies ($/kWh)
Table 7.23: Further costs of electricity from distributed generation technologies ($/kWh)
Table 8.24: Forecast distributed generation capacity on the UK distribution network (MW)