Benefits & Costs of Distributed Energy

Research and information to date on the economics of distributed energy resources is presented on this page, including benefits to the T&D system and to society as well as to the owners of these resources.  Significant further work is underway to refine this information and to develop a win-win framework for distributed energy.  These activities include:

• Distribution Planning Working Group
• EPRI-STAC DER Public/Private Partnership
• MTC Congestion Relief Pilots

The files on these pages are pdf unless otherwise noted.  They are listed by date, in sections that represent approximate categories. You may also search the documents listed on this web page and the other DG Collaboration pages by clicking here and changing the first word(s) in Google's search box. Additional information can be found at:

• www.masstech.org/dg/winwin.htm.

Materials developed by and for the Distribution Planning Work Group, the DG Collaborative and MTC

• May 2008 -- Distributed Generation Potential and Planning, presentation to Distributed Energy Conference at Stratton Mountain, by Fran Cummings
• March 2008 -- Impacts of DG on Wholesale Electric Prices and Air Emissions in Massachusetts, by M. Drunsic et. al., Synapse Energy Economics, prepared for Massachusetts Technology Collaborative
  • Appendices
  • Key reference for above Synapse report: August 10, 2007 -- Avoided Energy Supply Costs in New England: 2007 FINAL AESC REPORT, prepared for Avoided-Energy-Supply-Component (AESC) Study Group, by R. Hornby et. al., Synapse Energy Economics
  • Source referenced in above Synapse report:  March 2008 -- Market Potential of Combined Heat and Power in Massachusetts, by KEMA, Inc. for Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (October 8 revised draft for comment)
• November 2007 -- Creating Incentives for Electricity Providers to Integrate DER, a Report of the EPRI DER Public/Private Partnership, Technical Report 1014899, E. Petrill et. al., funded by California Energy Commission (John Sugar), Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (Fran Cummings), Massachusetts Division of Energy Resources (Gerry Bingham) and National Association of State Energy Officials as a State Technology Advancement Collaborative (STAC)
• DG and Distribution Planning: An Economic Analysis for the DG Collaborative, Attachment G of 2006 Report, by Navigant Consulting, January 2006:

• Presentation, 229 slides, with bookmarks for key sections (1.8 MB pdf file)
• Worksheets for analysis of DG opportunities at customer facilities (xls files)
• Bibliography (web page with 75 references)
• June 2006 -- Navigant Memo with additional analysis of A Hybrid Approach for the Role of DG in Distribution Planning, How Value Can Be Shared (to achieve a win-win), and Impact of DG on Market Prices.

• Distribution Planning and Other Potential Next Steps, Chapter 4 of 2006 Report, June 2006 (word)
• Attachment H: Report of Distribution Planning Work Group (DPWG) on DG and Distribution Deferral, June 2006

• word file   |   pdf file

• Attachment I: Symposium on Technical and Business Challenges for DG to Play a Role in T&D Planning, January 2006, meeting summary and slides (2.5 MB pdf)

• DG and Distribution Planning, Chapter 3 of 2005 Report, May 2005 (word file)
• Framework for Developing Win-Win Strategies for Distributed Energy Resources in Massachusetts, EPRI, Appendix C of 2005 Report, May 2005 (word file)

Selected Other Recent Materials

• February 2007 -- The Potential Benefits of DG and Rate-Related Issues that May Impede Their Expansion, A Study Pursuant to Section 1817 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, US DOE
• February 2007 -- Quantifying the T&D Benefits of DE in Ontario, Tutorial & Workshop (web), see slides on Massachusetts DG Collaborative's Results
• February 2007 -- Report of the RI Office Of Energy Resources to the RI General Assembly on the DG Stakeholders Working Group, pursuant to the Comprehensive Energy Conservation, Efficiency and Affordability Act of 2006 (3.5 MB pdf)
• January 2007 -- Weighing the Costs and Benefits of Renewables Portfolio Standards: A Comparative Analysis of State-Level Policy Impact Projections, C. Chen et. al., Environmental Energy Technologies Division, LBNL 61580
• January 2007 -- Quantifying Demand Response Benefits
  In PJM,  The Brattle Group, for PJM and MADRI
• December 2006 -- "It’s Free, Plentiful and Fickle," New York Times (12/28/06)
• December 2006 -- Presentation on EPRI/STAC Project to the Restructuring Roundtable, John Nimmons (ppt file)
• December 2006 -- Modern Grid Initiative/Allegheny Power Developmental Field Test, Bruce Renz, Modern Grid Initiative Team Principal Consultant (pdf file)
• November 2006 -- "San Diego Smart Grid Study," S. J. Anders, Director of EPIC, at Modernizing the Grid MidWest Regional Summit
• November 2006 -- "Examining the Impact of Renewable Energy on the Electric Power Grid: $1.23 million from NYSTAR will allow Rensselaer to create renewable energy test-bed," RPI Center for Future Energy Systems (CFES)
• November 2006 -- Interconnection of Distributed Power to the Distribution Network, Johan Enslin, KEMA (pdf file)
• November 2006 -- FERC Staff Report on Demand Response and Advanced Metering, by David Kathan, FERC, presentation to NARUC

• October 2006 -- Energy Portfolio Management: Tools & Resources for State Public Utility Commissions, by Synapse Energy Economics, report for NARUC
• October 2006 -- Brockton Brightfields PV Project, Lori Ribeiro
• October 2006 -- Analysis of Wind Power Capacity for ISO-NE  (Report only), by Anthony Rogers et. al., University of Massachusetts Renewable Energy Research Laboratory (31-page pdf file)
  • for Report plus Appendices 1 - 8, download this 2.3 MB zip file
• September 2006 -- Transmission and Wind Energy: Capturing the Prevailing Winds for the Benefit of Customers, National Grid
• August 2006 -- A Comprehensive Process Evaluation of Early Experience Under New York’s Pilot Program for Integration of DG in Utility System Planning, Final Report 06-11
• August 2006 -- Assessment of Demand Response and Advanced Metering, FERC Staff Report, Docket AD06-2-000
• August 2006 -- DOE’s EPACT Report to Congress on Demand Response in Electricity Markets, Larry Mansueti & Charles Goldman, including links to:
  • -- Demand Response Resources.com
  • -- IEA DSM Task XIII: Demand Response Resources
  • February 2006 -- Benefits of Demand Response and Recommendations for Achieving Them, DOE Report to Congress (pdf, 97 pages)
• Summer 2006 -- Integrated Utility-Driven Solar PV: Key to Keeping Clean Distributed Resources in the Race to Meet Carbon-Reduction Goals, Jill K. Cliburn and Chris Robertson, Electric Solar Utility Network, ACEEE Summer Study 2006
  • 2006 -- Utility Solar: Keeping Distributed PV in the Climate Recovery Game with Large-Scale Options and Utility-Driven Solar Energy as a Least-Cost Strategy to Meet RPS Policy Goals and Open New Markets, both by Jill K. Cliburn and Chris Robertson, Electric Solar Utility Network, ACEEE Summer Study 2006
• June 2006 -- Update on Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) and Clean Resources, Jim Platts, ISO-NE System Planning
• June 2006 -- Survey of Interconnection Rules, Prepared for the Oregon Public Service Commission, Workshop on Interconnection of DG, W. Shirley, RAP
• June 2006 -- Grid Integration for Wind, W. Henson, UMass Renewable Energy Research Laboratory
• May 2006 -- The Modern Grid v1.0: A Systems View of the Modern Grid, developed for U.S. DOE Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability by the National Energy Technology Laboratory
  • see website: http://www.themoderngrid.org
• May 2006 -- Utility Wind Integration State of the Art, by Utility Wind Integration Group (www.uwig.org)
• May 2006 -- Technical Analysis of the Potential for CHP in Massachusetts, L. Mattison, Center for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, UMass Amherst (55 page version)
  • Thesis version (120 pages, 1 MB pdf)
  • August 2006 -- Presentation on MA CHP Potential
• May 2006 -- Generation Options for New York State in a Carbon Constrained World, by Michael Miller, Electric Power Research Institute, presentation to NYISO Environmental Advisory Committee (selected slides, pdf)
• May 2006 -- The Value of DG under Different Tariff Structures, by Ryan Firestone et. al., LBNL-60589

• May 2006 -- The Modern Grid v1.0: A Systems View of the Modern Grid, developed for U.S. DOE Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability by the National Energy Technology Laboratory
  • see website: http://www.themoderngrid.org
• April 2006 -- Analysis of Solar PV Systems for Intermittent Resource Capacity Treatment in Forward Capacity Auction, Steve Wiese, Conservation Services Group

• March 2006 -- Where and When Is That Resource?, by Stephen Connors & Michael Berlinski, MIT Laboratory for Energy and the Environment
  • December 2005 -- Economic and Environmental Performance Of Potential Northeast Offshore Wind Energy Resources, Final Report, Michael Berlinski and Stephen Connors, MIT Laboratory for Energy and the Environment (4 MB pdf)
• March 2006 -- The Economic Value of EPAct 2005's PV Tax Credits, Bolinger, Wiser and Ing, LBL-59928
• February 2006 -- The Value of Renewables: Portfolio Diversification, Energy Security and Free Hedging?, Shimon Awerbuch, SPRU Energy Group, at International Grid-Connected Renewable Energy Policy Forum, Mexico City
• 2006 -- Massachusetts Surprising Candidate for Solar Power Leadership, Topline Strategy Group

DG Technical and Cost Data

• EPA CHP Partnership -- Catalogue of CHP Technologies: New Cost and Performance Characteristics for Prime Movers, updated December 4, 2008
• DOE EERE Distributed Energy Program -- Information Resources (huge list of links)
• DOE Office of Electricity Delivery & Energy Reliability (Electric Distribution Program, GridWise™ framework)
  • Annual Peer Review Meetings
• December 2008 -- Technology Characterization: Reciprocating Engines, by Energy and Environmental Analysis, Inc. for EPA CHP Partnership Program
• May 2007 -- Wind 2006 Annual Report, DOE EERE
• August 2006 -- Power Technologies Energy Data Book, Fourth Edition, compiled by J. Aabakken, NREL/TP-620-39728
• May 2006 -- Generation Options for New York State in a Carbon Constrained World, by Michael Miller, Electric Power Research Institute, presentation to NYISO Environmental Advisory Committee (selected slides, pdf)
• March 2006 -- New LEED Methodology for Combined Heat and Power (from US Green Building Council at http://www.usgbc.org/)
  • CHP Eligibility for Points under City Of Boston Zoning Regulations
• December 2005 -- DOE Distributed Energy Peer Review
• September 2005 -- Methodology for Security Meltdown: Reevaluating Nuclear Power, N. Glasgow, Rocky Mountain Institute
• August 2005 -- Projected Costs of Generating Electricity (2005 Update), World Alliance for Decentralized Energy (WADE) -- see also related study by International Energy Agency (IEA)
• April 2005 -- Clean Energy Technologies: A Preliminary Inventory of the Potential for Electricity Generation, O. Bailey et al, LBNL-57451
• 2005 -- Experimental and Theoretical Investigation of Integrated Engine Generator-Liquid Desiccant System, S. Nayak, Ph.D. Dissertation, University of Maryland
• August 2004 -- CHP Market Potential for Opportunity Fuels, by Resource Dynamics Corp. for DOE
• June 2004 -- Assessment of Distributed Generation Technology (wind and other), Cape Cod Commission, Cape Light Compact, Boreal Renewable Energy Development, Serchuk Associates
• April 2004 -- Clean Distributed Generation Performance and Cost Analysis, DE Solutions Inc. for ORNL
• January 2004 -- DG Operational Reliability and Availability Database, ORNL- 4000021456
• November 2003 -- Gas-Fired DER Technology Characterizations, NREL and GTI
• September 2003 -- Guide to Decentralized Energy Technologies, World Alliance for Decentralized Energy (WADE)
• June 2003 -- DER with CHP Applications, LBNL-52718, June 2003 (PDF)
• April 2003 -- National Account Sector Energy Profiles, EEA for ORNL
• February 2003 -- Installation, Operation, and Maintenance Costs for DG Technologies, EPRI-1007675 (PDF)
• Small Is Profitable, Amory Lovins et. al., Rocky Mountain Institute (www.rmi.org) -- See sections on Benefits of Distributed Resources and Policy Recommendations
  • See also slides/pages 16-31 in this 2002 presentation, "Small Is Profitable: The Hidden Economic Benefits of DG," Australian EcoGeneration Conference, 13 March 2002

Studies of DG Value: Renewable Technologies

• Click here for studies on economics of renewable DG

Studies of Environmental Costs and Impacts of DG

• Click here for studies of environmental costs and impacts of DG

Studies of DG Value: New England and the Northeast

• March 31, 2008 -- Impacts of DG on Wholesale Electric Prices and Air Emissions in Massachusetts, by M. Drunsic et. al., Synapse Energy Economics, prepared for Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (see results for 250 MW of MA solar PV)
  • Appendices
• August 2007 -- New England Electricity Scenario Analysis Report, ISO-NE (web page)
  • For more info: 2007 -- ISO-NE Scenario Analysis Stakeholder Working Group Materials
• February 2007 -- Quantifying the T&D Benefits of DE in Ontario, Tutorial & Workshop (web), see slides on Massachusetts DG Collaborative's Results
• February 2007 -- Report of the RI Office Of Energy Resources to the RI General Assembly on the DG Stakeholders Working Group, pursuant to the Comprehensive Energy Conservation, Efficiency and Affordability Act of 2006 (3.5 MB pdf)
• January 2007 -- Quantifying Demand Response Benefits
  In PJM,  The Brattle Group, for PJM and MADRI
• May 2006 -- Technical Analysis of the Potential for CHP in Massachusetts, L. Mattison, Center for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, UMass Amherst
  • August 2006 -- Presentation on MA CHP Potential
• February 2006 -- The Case for Installing Solar Electricity: A Guide for Massachusetts Businesses, prepared by SEBANE for MTC
  • See also the draft of the associated proforma cash flow worksheet for such DG projects
• December 2005 -- Role of DG in Power Quality and Reliability, by EEA for NYSERDA
• December 2005 -- Conceptual Approach to a DR Benefits Study (MADRI), Jeff Bladen, Manager, Retail Markets, PJM
• November 2005 -- Quantifying the Benefits of CHP in a Restructured Electricity Market, Chris Beebe, KeySpan, in Cogeneration and On-Site Power Production
• November 2005 (MADRI Meeting date) -- MADRI draft outline of a "DR Benefits Assessment Study," Brad Johnson
• November 2005 -- The Challenge of Energy Policy in New England, New England Public Policy Center, Federal Reserve Bank
• November 2005 -- Report of Working Group to Analyze Costs/Benefits and the Size of Incentive Awards, submitted to CT DPUC in Docket 05-07-17
• Massachusetts Distributed Energy (DE) Information Website (DOE, EERE) -- note: this site has a great deal of state- and region-specific technical and economic information; see also:
  • CHP Units located in Massachusetts (approx. 110 units were listed as of June 2006 in this on-line database supported by DOE and ORNL and maintained by Energy and Environmental Analysis Inc. )
• Avoided cost studies (not necessarily directly applicable to DG):
  • Sept. 2005 -- Avoided Costs of Energy in NE Due to Energy Efficiency Programs, presented by ICF to AESC Study Group, filed with CT DPUC by CL&P; see also: Oct. 2005 -- "Cost Benefit Analysis," Chapter 6 of draft 2006 C&LM Plan, CL&P
• August 2005 -- Fuel Diversity in NE: Ensuring Power System Reliability, ISO-NE (pdf, 4 pages)
• July 2005 -- Is There a Business Case for Residential Demand Response in the MADRI (PJM) Area, Jim Torpey
• April 2005 -- The Connecticut Power Technologies Project, Erik Bartone, Nxegen, Inc. (see slide 8 with Technical Approach to pilot of R-T wireless metering and automated controls)
• February 2005 -- System Wide Economic Benefits of DG in the New England Energy Market, B. Kosanovic et. el., Center for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, UMass Amherst (PDF)
• January 2005 -- Costs and Benefits of Implementing a Day-Ahead Load Response Program, Neenan Associates for ISO-NE
• 2005 -- Experimental and Theoretical Investigation of Integrated Engine Generator-Liquid Desiccant System, S. Nayak, Ph.D. Dissertation, University of Maryland
• June 2004 -- Benefits of On-Site CHP During August 14, 2003 Blackout, Energy & Environmental Analysis for ORNL
• May 2004 -- Probabilistic Risk Assessment (PRA): Feasibility Analysis of Fuel Cells, MTechnology, Inc.
• March 2004 -- Renewable Energy & DG Technologies Identification and Target Market Research Study, GDS Associates for the NH Electric Cooperative
• 2004 -- Distributed Generation Market Potential: 2004 Update, Connecticut and Southwest Connecticut
• June 2003 -- End User DG Applications in Cape Light Compact Communities, Distributed Utility Associates
• June 2003 -- Cape Cod Regional Options Study, for Cape Light Compact
• September 2002 -- Power Quality Problems and Renewable Energy Solutions, Analysis of the Prospects for Renewable PQ Solutions in Massachusetts, Primen and EPRI PEAC

Studies of DG Value: California

• Reports posted under CEC Implementation and Distribution Planning Docket (# 04-DIST-GEN-1, # 03-IEP-1)
• October 2005 -- CA Energy Action Plan II
• Sept. 6 and Oct. 6, 2005 -- CA PUC Interim Order Adopting Cost-Benefit Methodology for DG, Agenda ID #4897, Rulemaking 04-03-017 (pdf)
• September 2005 -- CPUC Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP) Preliminary Cost-Effectiveness Evaluation Report, Itron (slides, pdf)
  • April 2005 -- CPUC Self-Generation Incentive Program
    Fourth-Year Impact Report, Itron
• July 2005 -- Assessment of CA CHP Market & Policy options for Increased Penetration, E. Petrill et. al., EPRI for CA PIER
• Oct. 25, 2004 -- Methodology and Forecast of Long Term Avoided Costs for the Evaluation of CA Energy Efficiency Programs, to CA PUC by Energy and Environmental Economics and Rocky Mountain Institute (pdf)
• 2005 -- CPUC Energy Division worksheets on Avoided Costs for CA Energy Efficiency Programs, including T&D costs & losses (9 MB zip file)

• July 2004 -- CEC Issue Paper on DG Costs and Benefits, Mark Rawson

• January 2004 -- CADER Primer on DG Costs and Benefits
• California PUC Documents:
  • March 16, 2004 Scoping Memo including Cost-Benefit Methodologies for DG in Utility Planning
• March 5, 2003 Order in Rulemaking 99-10-025, including Potential Benefits of Distributed Generation

Studies of DG Value: Other

• February 2007 -- The Potential Benefits of DG and Rate-Related Issues that May Impede Their Expansion, A Study Pursuant to Section 1817 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, US DOE
• December 2006 -- Enhancement of Sustainable Electricity Supply through Improvement of the Regulatory Framework for Distribution Networks, Jaap Jansen, Energy Research Centre of the Netherlands
• November 2006 -- FERC Staff Report on Demand Response and Advanced Metering, by David Kathan, FERC, presentation to NARUC
• October 2006 -- Energy Portfolio Management: Tools & Resources for State Public Utility Commissions, by Synapse Energy Economics, report for NARUC
• August 2006 -- Assessment of Demand Response and Advanced Metering, FERC Staff Report, Docket AD06-2-000
• August 2006 -- DOE’s EPACT Report to Congress on Demand Response in Electricity Markets, Larry Mansueti & Charles Goldman, including links to:
  • -- Demand Response Resources.com
  • -- IEA DSM Task XIII: Demand Response Resources
  • February 2006 -- Benefits of Demand Response and Recommendations for Achieving Them, DOE Report to Congress (pdf, 97 pages)
• February 2006 -- The WADE Economic Model – Previous Results and Future Applications, Sytze Dijkstra
  • March 2006 -- Decentralising UK Energy: Cleaner, Cheaper, More Secure Energy for the 21st Century, Application of the WADE Economic Model to the UK, Report to Greenpeace
• January 2006 -- Our Energy Challenge: Securing clean, affordable energy for the long term, UK Dept of Trade & Industry
• December 2005 -- Distributed Energy Benefits Studies, Hadley et. al., ORNL, at Dec. 13, 2005 DOE Peer Review
• December 2005 -- Modeling Benefits of the DOE DE Program Using NEMS, C. Marnay, LBL at Dec. 13, 2005 DOE Peer Review
• December 2005 -- Building Integrated CHP for Cost-Effective Carbon Mitigation: 2005 Status and Prospects for Canada ... and the US, World Alliance for Decentralized Energy (WADE)
• November 2005 -- Potential for Microgeneration (<100 kW), Final Report, UK Energy Saving Trust
• November 2005 -- Bigger Than Nuclear, Amory Lovins et al, Rocky Mountain Institute
• July 2005 -- Energy Policy Act of 2005, Conference Report (1.6 MB pdf)
• Articles in Public Utilities Fortnightly:
  • March 2005 -- "DG: Who Benefits?"
  • March 2005 -- "Efficiency & DR: Twins, Siblings, or Cousins? (conservation effects of DR), by Chris King and Dan Delurey"
  • April 2005 -- "DG Benefit Values in Hard Numbers"
• June 2005 -- Moving Toward a More Comprehensive [Cost-Benefit] Framework to Evaluate Distributed PV, Hoff et al, NREL Contract AAD-2-31904-03
• June 2005 -- Optimizing Future Heat and Power Generation, Thomas Casten et. al. (see p. 10 for estimate that 13.8% of MA power generation is from DG)
• March 2005 -- Distributed Resources Analysis, presented to MADRI by Stan Hadley, ORNL
• February 2005 -- Cost and Risk Management Benefits from Energy Efficiency in the Northwest Power and Conservation Plan, Tom Eckman, Northwest Power and Conservation Council
• December 2004 -- "An Approach to Quantify the Technical Benefits of DG," P. Chiradeja, et. al., IEEE Transactions (including voltage, line-loss and emission impacts)
• November 2004 -- The Economic Value of Micro Generation, DG Coordinating Group Working Paper 3 (see www.distributed-generation.gov.uk)
• November 2004 -- Cogeneration in a High Gas Price Era, World Alliance for Decentralized Energy (WADE)
• November 2004 -- Electric Power Systems Under Stress: An Evaluation of Centralized Versus Distributed System Architectures, Hisham Zerriffi, Carnegie Institute of Technology Doctoral Thesis
• June 2004 -- Assessing the Benefits of On-Site CHP during the August 14, 2003 Blackout, Energy and Environmental Analysis, Inc. for ORNL
• May 2004 -- Distributed Resources in a Re-Regulated Market Environment, Thomas Ackermann, thesis (abstract), Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm
• February 2004, "Capturing the Benefits of Regional Demand Response," Lynn Coles, Distributed Energy magazine
• GridWise Initiative:
  • US DOE Office of Electricity Delivery & Energy Reliability (OE) -- Electric Distribution Program, Electric Distribution Transformation (EDT) Program and GridWise Initiative (Website)
  • May 2004 -- Estimating the Benefits of the GridWise Initiative, Rand (TR-160-PNNL)
  • August 2005 -- SmartGrid Newsletter
• September 2003 -- DER Benefits Analysis Studies: Final Report to NREL, J.J. Iannucci et. al. ("Top 30" DER Studies)
• September 2003 -- Prospects for Distributed Electricity Generation, Congressional Budget Office
• August 2003 -- Thinking Outside the Box: Economic Growth and The Central Generation Paradigm, T.R. Casten, Primary Energy, LLC, USAEE/IAEE 24th Annual NA Conference
• June 2003 -- Economic Potential of CHP in Detroit Edison Service Area: The Customer Perspective, J. Kellyn et. al., GTI, ORNL/TM-2003/251 (impacts on Ann Arbor feeder)
• May 2003 -- Quantitative Assessment of DER Benefits, S.W. Hadley et. al., ORNL
• March 2002 -- DG Impact on Power Network, ABB
• March 2002 -- "Small Is Profitable: The Hidden Economic Benefits of DG," Australian EcoGeneration Conference, 13 March 2002 -- see slides/pages 16-31
  • Small Is Profitable, Amory Lovins et. al., Rocky Mountain Institute (www.rmi.org) -- see sections on Benefits of Distributed Resources and Policy Recommendations
• March 2002 -- Quantifying the benefits of DG in imperfectly competitive electricity markets, D. Nderitu, at Clemson University Power Systems Conference
• February 2002 -- Connecting DER to the Grid: Benefits to the DER Owner/Customer, Other Customers, the Utility, and Society, W.P. Poore et. al., ORNL/TM-2001/290
• November 2001 -- Impact of Network Regulation & Pricing on Distributed & Renewable Energy, S. Awerbuch
• September 2001 -- Distributed Resource Policy Series: Distribution System Cost Methodologies for Distributed Generation, reports to NREL by Regulatory Assistance Project
• White Paper on Benefits of DG prepared by Howard Feibus for Clean DG Coalition

Studies of Market Potential of Distributed Energy

The following studies may also be included in one of the lists above:

• March 2008 -- Market Potential of Combined Heat and Power in Massachusetts, KEMA, for MTC (October 8 revised draft for comment)
• March 2007 -- RIWINDS Program Phase I Siting Study, Dennis Loria, at NECA Renewable Energy Conference
• December 2006 -- Clean Energy Options Analysis, OTC High Electricity Demand Day, Ozone Strategies, Art Diem, U.S. EPA
• December 2006 -- Projections of Installed DG in Massachusetts, memorandum from KEMA Inc.
• May 2006 -- Technical Analysis of the Potential for CHP in Massachusetts, L. Mattison, Center for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, UMass Amherst (55 page Report)
  • August 2006 -- Presentation on MA CHP Potential
  • Thesis version, including Appendices with additional detail (120 pages)
• May 2006 -- The Value of DG under Different Tariff Structures, by Ryan Firestone et. al., LBNL-60589
• July 2005 -- Assessment of California CHP Market and Policy Options for Increased Penetration, Darrow et. al., research jointly sponsored by EPRI & CEC
• February 2005 -- PV Grid Connected Market Potential under a Cost Breakthrough Scenario, Report to Energy Foundation, M. Chaudhari et. al., Navigant Consulting
• December 2004 -- Economic Impact Analysis of NJ's Proposed 20% Renewable Portfolio Standard, Rutgers Center for Energy, Economic and Environmental Policy
• August 2004 -- NJ Energy Efficiency and DG Market Assessment, KEMA, Inc., Final Report to Rutgers University Center for Energy, Economic and Environmental Policy
• August 2004 -- NJ Renewable Energy Market Assessment, Navigant
• August 2004 -- CHP Market Potential for Opportunity Fuels, by Resource Dynamics Corp. for DOE
• April 2004 -- Current and Future Projections for CHP and PV: The Combined Market Potential in MA (draft), Navigant Consulting Inc.
  • January 2005, PV Market in MA, slide with summary of sensitivity analysis, Navigant Consulting Inc.
  • December 2004 -- draft charts with DG growth scenarios, presented at 12/10/04 meeting of DG Collaborative
• April 2004 -- Assessment of Large CHP Market, EEA for ORNL
• March 2004 -- Sector Profiles of Significant Large CHP Markets, EEA for ORNL
• March 2004 -- Renewable Energy & DG Technologies Identification and Target Market Research Study, GDS Associates for the NH Electric Cooperative
• 2004 -- Distributed Generation Market Potential: 2004 Update, Connecticut and Southwest Connecticut
• August 2003 -- Cooling, Heating, and Power for Industry: A Market Assessment, Resource Dynamics Corporation for DOE
• June 2003 -- End User DG Applications in Cape Light Compact Communities, Distributed Utility Associates
• June 2003 -- Cape Cod Regional Options Study, for Cape Light Compact
• June 2003 -- Economic Potential of CHP in Detroit Edison Service Area: the Customer Perspective, J. Kelly, T. Kingston, J. Wrobel, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, ORNL/TM-2003/251
• October 2002 -- CHP Market Potential for New York State, by Energy Nexus Group, Onsite Energy Corp., Pace Energy Project
• 2002 -- Market Potential for DG, DRI-WEFA
• March 2001 -- Assessment of On-Site Power Opportunities in the Industrial Sector, Onsite Energy Corporation, DOE Contract No. 85X-TA008V
• January 2001 -- The Market and Technical Potential for Combined Heat and Power in the Commercial/Institutional Sector (Revision 1), ONSITE SYCOM Energy Corp. for DOE
• August 1999 – NJ Comprehensive Resources Analysis Market Assessment, for NJ Utilities Working Group, by XENERGY Inc.

Articles

• February 2007 -- Delmarva Power Unveils Proposals to Lower Costs, Improve Reliability, and Enhance Energy Independence (press release)
• January 2007 -- 'Energy Independence,' Daniel Yergin, Wall Street Journal
• January 2007 -- "Taking Control of the Power Grid," G. Warner, Energy and Power Management Magazine
• November 2006 -- "Macro Trends Point to Microgrids," by Jesse Berst, www.smartgridnewsletter.com, Nov 28, 2006
• November 2006 -- "Residential micro-combined-heat-and-power units," Christian Science Monitor
• August 2006 -- " How Microgrids are Poised To Alter The Power Delivery Landscape," by Poonum Agrawal, U.S. DOE; Mark Rawson, California Energy Commission; and Stan Blazewicz and Forrest Small, Navigant Consulting Inc. in Utility Automation & Engineering T&D
• Spring 2006 -- The Energy Innovation Imperative: Addressing Oil Dependence, Climate Change, and Other 21st Century Energy Challenges, J. Holdren, MIT Innovations
• Spring 2006 -- "Surprises and Resilience," Amory Lovins, RMI Solutions
  • See also Fall 2003 -- "Enlightening Blackouts," Amory Lovins et. al.
• December 2005 -- "Mighty Mice," Amory Lovins, Nuclear Engineering International
• December 2005 -- "The Greening of GE" and articles about climate change, The Economist
• September 2005 -- "The Katrina Crisis," Daniel Yergin, Wall Street Journal

Abstracts from GTI Website

• GRI Study: Gas Cogen Systems More Reliable Than Central Power Units
• Distributed Generation Guidebook for Municipal Utilities
• Reliability of Natural Gas Cogeneration Systems
• Distributed Generation Reliability Survey Tool
• Distributed Generation Reliability Survey Database
• Cogeneration Forced Outage Rates Less Than 6%
• Natural Gas Fired Electric Generating Technology: A Key to the Adequacy of Electric Generating Capability in North American Electric Reliability Councils
  

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Other Source Materials for Reference

Click below for links to many other studies:

• Methodologies for Addressing DG in Distribution Planning

• Potential Win-Win Business & Regulatory Frameworks

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Suggestions for additional resources useful for assessing the role of DG in distribution planning, or other questions or comments about the Massachusetts DG Collaborative, may be directed to:

          Fran Cummings, RET Policy Director