ABSTRACT
Distributed generation can include renewable power generation resources such as wind, solar, or low-head hydropower production. By their very nature such power sources are small, modular, and geographically distributed. This chapter discusses each of the major types of renewable energy resources, tackling solar thermal and photovoltaic, wind, low-head hydro, and the various trash and biomass “burners”. It aims to compare the various renewable technologies with other DG sources and discusses planning issues related to several features that many renewable units have in common – a dependence on natural phenomena or cycles for power production – sun, wind and interconnection issues. Among all the possible renewable energy sources, the most flexible and applicable in many respects is solar power. Trough-type systems use concentrator mirrors with a parabolic cross-section in one direction, and a pipe for a heated fluid running lengthwise to withdraw heat descending their long axis in the other.
