A new suggestion for distributed generation with social and environmental profits in small power plants using renewable energy sources

Abstract

This paper intends to investigate and suggest a new methodology for the location of small power plants that takes into account the triple bottom line (TBL) concept. In other words the location of small power plants should be evaluated considering not only the economic aspects but also the social and environmental ones. This means choosing the area and evaluating the best technology for the equipment in that particular location, as a result of the fuel extracted from renewable sources. The paper proposes an integrated solution using mathematical functions that take into account the economic, social and environmental variables, based on the concept of universalization of electric energy. This paper presents a suggestion for universalization, so that a study can be made with a new comparative focus between the different types of technology and the opportunities to set up small thermoelectric power plants in micro-areas, using the renewable resources available on site. The proposed model may be used as an initial study for the assessment and development of a small region, based on the existence of a thermoelectric power plant, as well as a reference to indicate the various opportunities for the use of the agro- industrial waste in the region.