2. Non-renewable Distributed Generation Technologies: A Review

Distributed non-renewable energy technologies are mainly used in remote areas that have no access to the utility grid and also in urban to reduce the peak demand. Distributed non-renewable energy incorporates technologies such as reciprocating engines (internal combustion engines, steam engines and Stirling engines), microturbines (MTs) and combined heat power. These technologies can be used by the power utilities as a prime, continues and standby generating unit. Non-renewable distributed generators such as reciprocating engines and MTs are some of the technologies available to generate electricity. Although not wholly advisable, fossil fuels can be used for distributed generation (DG) in areas with highly unpredictable renewable sources or where the available renewable energy technology is not matured enough for reliable operation. Since the size of non-renewable distributed generators is much lesser than large-scale stand-alone conventional power plants, pollutant emissions and fuel costs are lesser. There are other advantages of using non-renewable DG technologies such as improved security of the critical loads and improved efficiency of a power system and reduction in transmission losses as electricity is now generated closer to the load points, thus improving the reliability of a power system. However, the reliable functioning of a power system network with non-renewable distributed generators depends on the smooth conversion of unidirectional grid systems to bidirectional grid systems. In order to achieve this, integration issues must be studied extensively and mitigation methods must be made available. In this work, different distributed non-renewable generation technologies are given with their advantages and disadvantages.