Distributed Generation (DG) consists of small electric generation or cogeneration plants, typically up to 30-50 MW, located close to users, such as within an industrial plant, or a commercial or residential building. This provides the opportunity for more efficient energy use and reduced emissions. These plants are interconnected to the transmission and distribution system or are isolated. The connection of DG in electrical systems has an impact both on planning criteria and methods and on the real-time operation and control of networks. The purpose of the project is to:
* Assess the contributions that DG can bring in terms of:
* energy savings
* environmental protection
* economic benefits
* reliability of electric service;
* Highlight any critical issues regarding electrical system safety, service quality and dispatching, so as to define proposals for interconnection rules;
* Analyze in a simulated environment the evolution of substation automation systems in the face of the new DG scenario with the aim of:
* providing electrical system operators and customers with proper elements to evaluate the potential of using DG considering both the opportunities and the critical issues associated with it
* pointing national and regional administrators to a more efficient, reliable, and cleaner energy system thanks to the use of high-efficiency, low-emission, modular technologies with high flexibility in the choice of energy source (including renewables).