ABSTRACT
Distributed utilities (DU), as the name indicates, employ distributed generation (DG) sources and distributed storage (DS) of energy throughout the service area. DG and DS devices can be operating individually or together and in stand-alone mode or in conjunction with an existing electric utility grid. All of the storage technologies have a power electronic converter interface and can be used in conjunction with other DU technologies to provide “seamless” transitions when power quality is a requirement. The chapter discusses some general guidelines and the general utility requirements, and outlines examples of different considerations. Energy storage technologies are enjoying rapid improvements in the small capacity range, specifically for use in portable electronic devices. Fuel cell technology has been around since its invention by William Grove in 1839. From the 1960s to the present, fuel cells have been the power source used for space flight missions.
