Distributed Generation and Cogeneration

The distributed generation of electric power, rather than a real technology, represents a paradigm of energy production, being complementary and/or alternative to the centralised and localised production in large-scale plants. It is based on the use of small-size generators that operate close to end users and with a power ranging from a few kW to some MW. To date, the spreading and the incidence related to distributed generation on global electric power production are marginal, although increasing. On the other hand, a considerable and articulated series of technical–economic evaluations exist, describing the present state of the art and setting out generally growing developments for the next decade.