Enabling Distributed Generation and Demand Response with Enterprise Energy Management Systems

摘要

We are on the verge of a new era in power generation and distribution. Breakthroughs in enterprise energy management technology and distributed generation are changing the way grids operate. Along with power generation, other functions are being decentralized: data gathering, analysis, control and communications. The digital economy is one of the drivers behind distributed generation because of the need for a higher quality and quantity of power. In turn, the digital economy is solving its own problem by making communications more affordable and pushing intelligence to the microchip level. All market players require EEM systems to monitor and control power usage, capacity reserves, costs and payments. 1. End-users need to understand energy consumption patterns and power quality across their enterprises, and determine whether to participate in curtailment programs or distributed generation microgrids. 2. Energy service providers want to aggregate loads for demand response programs, buy energy at wholesale levels, or offer distributed generation for premium power quality customers. 3. Application service providers need to remotely maintain and control the generation assets of utilities, energy service providers and end-users. 4. Power producers and ISOs have to address the supply/demand imbalance with demand response programs and, in the longer term, distributed generation. The power grids of tomorrow will be more complex but more energy-efficient than the systems of today. With them will evolve EEM systems and service programs to benefit energy suppliers and consumers alike.