On Quantification of the Hidden Distributed Generation Capacity and Its Effects

The energy efficiency starts from energy accounting. At the level of strategic planning, that means the formation energy balances. In terms of distributed generation (DG), the problem at hand is how to ensure a correct estimation of the installed capacity of DG in cases when it operates standalone. This “hidden” DG may sufficiently influence the power system operation. The paper presents the results of investigations devoted to DG penetration assessment. A novel approach to existing and prospective DG assessment is proposed, which combines statistical, economic and geographical methods. The approach provides DG power ranging according to the sphere of its application. It is suitable to predict the centers of DG interconnection.