Throughout the world there is concern over the impact of energy use on
the environment (particularly CO2 emissions) and also over
the security of fossil fuel supplies. Consequently, governments and
energy planners are actively encouraging alternative and cleaner forms
of energy production such as renewables (e.g. wind, solar, biomass) and
combined heat and power (CHP).
The economics and locations of sustainable energy sources have meant
that many of these new generators are connected into distribution
networks. It is recognized that the information flow and control of
distribution networks is inadequate for these future low-carbon
electricity supply systems. The future distribution network will change
its operation from passive to active, and the distributed generators
will be controlled to support the operation of the power system. In many
countries this transformation of electricity supply is managed through
energy markets and privately owned, regulated transmission and
distribution systems.
This book discusses the connection of generation to distribution
networks and then moves on to consider how sustainable generation can be
fully integrated into the operation of the power system. Both technical
and economic aspects are addressed. It is written for later-year
undergraduate and postgraduate students studying courses on energy. The
book has four tutorial chapters (with examples and questions) to provide
fundamental material for those without a strong electrical engineering
background.
