Decentralised
Energy
Delta specialises in a growing part of the electricity
market: decentralised energy (DE). Global DE market share
is currently increasing year-on-year and accounts for
around 8-9% of total worldwide electricity generation.
Decentralised energy consists of:
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Cogeneration (also
known as combined heat & power, CHP) |
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On-site, or local,
renewable energy systems |
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Other forms of decentralised
energy systems sited at or close to the point of
use |
The size of DE can range from residential-scale power
generation of 1 kW or less, such as micro-CHP and micro-wind,
up to large scale cogeneration plants of 100 MW or more
that supply steam and electricity to major industrial
sites or large urban areas.
Prime Movers and Fuels
Technologies used in DE systems include mature and widely
used technologies such as gas turbines, steam turbines,
internal combustion engines and wind turbines. Many emerging
technologies are now starting to penetrate markets. These
include micro-turbines, fuel cells, photovoltaics, Stirling
engines and building-mounted wind turbines.
For non-renewable DE systems, a variety of fuels can
be used. These include natural gas, diesel, coal and
various forms of biomass. In the future, hydrogen may
be widely used.
The Challenge and Opportunity of DE
All DE systems have one thing in common: they supply
electricity, and sometimes other forms of energy, to
on-site or local customers.
Because this is a radically different approach to
energy supply from conventional ‘central’ generation
(based on large and remote power stations and extensive
transmission and distribution networks), DE development
presents a series of challenges and opportunities to
energy users, energy suppliers, technology developers,
financial institutions, power generators and policymakers.
Delta’s business is to serve these stakeholders
with high quality consultancy, research products, summits
and briefings.
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