Intelligent Grid &
Distributed Energy (DE)
Social Dimension
Diane Costello – Research FellowProf Daniela Stehlik – Project Manager
Alcoa Research Centre for Stronger CommunitiesJune, 2008
C S I R OEnergy Transformed Flagship
Disciplinary Background Community Psychology – Curtin & Notre
Dame Universities Rural & Indigenous communities. health, mental health, racism,
discrimination; crime, community sustainability, policy /program evaluation.
CSIRO - IG Energy Transformed project Social Scientist: “human, socio-political &
economic implications” - LEDE systems. “Sustainable Energy: Feasibility of DE
solutions for SMEs in rural communities”
National Study – IG & DE EMBED - climate change & human, social,
political change - GHG mitigation. My ROLE?
“Intelligent Grid (IG) & DE” -Terry Jones, LEDE Theme Leader, CSIRO Energy Flagship, NSW.
“research-halving GHG emissions & doubling efficiencies -new generation technologies”.
“future vision for an electricity network in Australia - DE resources play a critical part”!
IG “using information, communications and control technologies to integrate the electricity network with DE resources.
DE “distributed/decentralised generation & use of energy”.
CSIRO & University Partners1.Technological;2.Economic;3.So
cial
DE Stand Alone or Connected Main Grid
Distributed Energy DE
“distributed (decentralised) generation and use of energy”.
POWER “produced at or near point- consumption.
DE “small-scale stationary modular technology located close to consumer”.
Distributed Generation: -unit sizes “few kW to multi MW - under 30MW.
DE Resources – Sources: fossil fuels, renewables, fuel cells.
•Reciprocating engines• Micro turbines• Fuel cells• Energy storage• PV, wind, solar thermal, hydro• Waste heat recoveryHeating, cooling, electricity• Demand side management• Communications and control
DE Technologies
DE Systems & Energy Sources
DE Resources: ‘power quality; backup; primary source. E-Sources – Combined other
Technologies “promote efficiencies & reduce GHG emissions.
Denmark “decentralised cogeneration” (CHP/Combined Heat & Power) systems (natural gas engines, small biomass combusters)- local/municipal owned.
POLICY: reduced risks to investors; CHP, renewables and waste-to-energy projects priority access-main grid.
Council of Woking
Burrough, Surrey
• DE networks: Woking Town Centre & Woking Park district & number of residential local community energy systems - based on CHP, fuel cell, photovoltaic, thermal storage & heat fired absorption cooling technologies.
1990s- mini Heat & Power Stations; thousands PV cells on roofs.2004 - 80% energy; GHG emissions - 77%.
• 3 micro turbines - power & heating (hot water, pool, spas)• INTELLIGENT CONTROLS:(Fuzzy Logic, Neural Networks) optimize performance•grid Isolation- outage
CHP- Hilton Garden Inn, Chesterton, Indiana
Summary - DE Systems GENERATE power, heat & cooling - locally;
stand alone or connected to the grid – Existing & emerging technologies – under
30MW! INTEGRATE - variety sources: gas tech.;
renewables, traditional generation. COMPLEX: “heating, cooling & powering a
commercial building”. Integrating: solar panels, microturbines,
fuel cells & main grid electricity. GAS: from animal waste -cooking! Complementary – Efficiency;
Emissions!
Advantages of DE Infrastructure: Decreased need to size
transmission networks for peak loads; Economics: reduces costs of transmission &
distribution system upgrades. Efficiency: No transmission losses from DE;
New generators - added in weeks; Capacity - added as needed; Waste heat - used for heating & cooling –
gains energy efficiency (30% to 80%) Sustainability: Renewable sources often
better suited for small size DE (solar, biofuels) Consumer: potential lower cost, higher
service reliability, high power quality, increased energy efficiency, energy independence.
Evaluating Deployment of DE CONSENSUS -positive benefits DE Costs, Barriers - Drivers! Costs: Environmental, Social, Political,
Economic & Community Interests at Stake? Barriers: Connection costs - High!
High costs of Technology – discourages investment! Limited access, awareness – subsidies, grants! Policy, Regulations & Market access Human Behaviour: Economic Growth-sustainable
actions?
Drivers: Climate Change; Emissions Trading; Soaring energy prices; Energy Crisis!
ISSUES – holistic perspective – Deploy DE!
Outcomes of National Research
Increase understanding of real benefits of DE options;
Clearer evaluation of value of DE options;
More effective public debate on the role of DE options;
More streamlined and consistent considerations of DE options in policy;
Goals of this Research Social Implications- LEDE deployment -
sustainable energy & climate change. FOCUS – evaluating feasibility – DE
resources within SMEs sector. RECRUIT -key informants & stakeholders! PROCEDURES: interviews & focus group
discussions. KEY ISSUES:
Reliability of energy supply?Increase in Energy Demands?What DE options -currently available?The Barriers?Community acceptance?
PROCEDURES - PARTICIPANTS
CASE SCENARAIOS – DE technologies being deployed in SME sector - Evaluate its feasibility!
Ethics & Confidentiality: notes: password-protected computer. Member Verification.
DATA - de-identified – confidential! Human Research Ethnics committee.
Discussions - Research focus & procedures?
THANK YOU FOR LISTENING
