The Increase of Small Distributed Generation Efficiency

It is possible to increase the efficiency of small DG by combining them into a common network.The article is devoted to the issues of combining decentralized power supply systems with renewable energy sources in an energy-efficient electrical complex operating as a «virtual power plants» (VPP).The authors have developed a VPP prototype, including simulators of wind and solar power plants. The VPP simulators imitate elements of decentralized power supply systems with a scalability factor of 100. Different modes of the VPP microgrid operation have been considered, technical aspects of the interaction of DG sources with system elements and a centralized electrical network have been investigated. A power quality analysis has been carried out. The reasons for the network abnormal modes and the power quality violation have been established. Guidance to improve efficiency and reduce the negative effect of small DG sources are given.