Applications

DER technologies are typically installed for one or more of the following applications:

• Overall load reduction — reducing overall electricity consumption by using highly efficient power generators in lieu of grid-purchased power.
• Energy independence — using on-site power generation to meet all energy needs (usually to improve power reliability and/or power quality).
• Standby power — using a generator as a backup electricity source to ensure power availability during grid outages.
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• Peak shaving — using on-site generation intermittently to avoid purchasing grid electricity during expensive peak-rates. Peak shaving also refers to using on-site generation during periods of maximum electricity consumption expressly for lowering the energy demand component of a given billing period (applies only for demand plus usage rate structures).
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• Net energy sales (net metering) — generating more electricity than needed and selling the surplus to the grid.
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• Combined heat and power (CHP) — using waste heat from a power generator directly (i.e., manufacturing processes, space heating, water heating, etc.) or by a thermally activated device (chillers, dehumidifiers, bottoming cycles, etc.).
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• Grid support — DER installed by power companies to support the transmission, distribution, and feeder systems for a wide variety of reasons, including meeting highest peak loads without having to overbuild infrastructure; postponing system upgrades; maintaining power quality; maintaining uninterruptible power during planned outages, and; supporting new, unplanned load pockets.
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• Premium power — mitigates or otherwise corrects frequency variations, voltage transients, surges, dips or other disruptions from grid power which can trip sensitive digitally controlled motors, drives, and computer systems.
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