Technology Alternative for Enabling Distributed Generation

Abstract

The steady growth in consumption is necessary to produce more and more electric power thus creating strong impact, not only environmental, but also in investment capacity. Brazil is feeling closely this difficulty. Tariff flags recently implemented by the regulator ANEEL, are a result of increased power generation costs, compounded by the water crisis that has been accumulated in recent years. Given this reality, the Distributed Generation, where small sources are connected directly to distribution networks, is presented as a short-term alternative to the extent that it is composed of small projects, of quick and easy deployment, with small investments. ANEEL Normative Resolution 482/2012 constitutes a ground zero for Distributed Generation in Brazil. The challenge imposed now is the viability of small generation projects, especially micro and mini distributed generation by accepting a simplistic view of the technologies employed by the designers and especially by electric power distribution, at the connection process. This paper reports the experiment of using a pump functioning as a turbine, on a revitalization project of an old PCH , Small Central Hydroelectric Generating, at the Paraiba River valley region, state of Sao Paulo, Brazil. It describes the potential available on site, the machine selection method, the experiments and the final power exported to the grid.