Distributed generation integration and field test: an economic and engineering feasibility study of distributed generation on the South Plains

The focus of the engineering analysis of this thesis is to identify the necessary abilities of a DG system. The three basic abilities of a DG system are reliability, safety, and stability. The DG unit must be completely reliable due to the strict time constraints placed on its operation. Next, the system must be able to protect itself and those who operate it from dangerous power levels that arise in both normal and abnormal operation.

Finally, any DG system must be able to at least maintain and more over improve the stability of the grid to which it is connected. It is the goal if this paper to define and give subjective value to each of the above abilities to determine the overall ability of a generation system to be feasible as a DG unit. A field test of the Gas Power Northwest (GPN) Innovator Genset operating on South Plains Electric Coop's (SPEC) utility grid is used to evaluate the economic and engineering analyses given in this document. This field test describes all of the necessary procedures for installing and operating DG equipment for use in peak shaving applications. Results from the field test show that SPEC can gain $1.48 millon if it were to install 42 Megawatts of DG power given the rate structure they currently operate under. Also, the field test determines that the GPN Innovator Genset along with the Enercon switchgear and Encorp power management equipment realizes a suitable DG resource.