Impact of high penetration of CHP generation on urban distribution networks

The capacity of combined heat and power (CHP) generation connected to and urban distribution network will increase significantly as a result of EU government targets and incentives. The connection of CHP at urban distribution level creates a number of technical problems that for individual connections can be mitigated, albeit at a cost to the developer and network operators. For significant volumes of connections, there is an apparent risk of conflict between connections in that inappropriately sized or located plant could constrain greater development of the network and consequently threaten the achievement of government distributed generation energy targets. This paper aims to investigate the impact of CHP on the operation of the network and its ability to interconnect CHP with the urban electrical power systems.