International Practices in Distributed Generation Development Worldwide

This paper presents the international practices in distributed generation development worldwide. Distributed generation (DG) plants produce power on a customer´s site or at the site of a local distribution utility and supply power to the local distribution network directly. It is fundamentally distinct from the traditional central plants for power generation and delivery. DG can deliver electrical energy directly to the power distribution network or to where it is consumed, rather than via the transmission system. Also, DG facilities are smaller than traditional central plants. In addition to this technological flexibility, DG may add value to some power systems by delaying the need to upgrade a congested transmission or distribution network, by reducing distribution losses, and by providing support or ancillary services to the local distribution network.