Advantages of distributed energy networks
Edgar Mondragón Tenorio Journalist
The generation of small-scale electricity through distributed energy networks has a profound positive environmental impact. A total change of paradigm in the generation of electrical energy with respect to the traditional, centralized, and costly model.
The remoteness of the large centers of electricity production decreases the efficiency in the distribution of energy, in addition, the failure in one of these terminals (nuclear, thermal, or hydroelectric) represents a major problem in the supply of a territorial portion and, therefore, thousands of users without electricity.
Complementary and clean alternative
Renewable energies represent a great alternative to these problems of dependence and lack of efficiency. The great advantage of these energies, both wind and solar, is that they do not require large production centers for their generation.
This characteristic makes it possible for any person to have a micro-generator in his or her home for the production and self-consumption of electric energy.
Furthermore, it does not compete with the centralized model; on the contrary, it offers a scheme of complementarity and mutual compensation in case one of the two fails, both in its production and distribution, since both sources will be linked in the same network.
Advantages of distributed networks
The spread of these distributed networks will generate great benefits. Let us mention some of them.
Power reduction. Being produced by small generators, voltage changes will no longer be a problem, since these units do not exceed 10 kW of installed power.
Reduced losses. The immediate proximity of these production centers eliminates the possibility of energy losses suffered by large distribution centers during the transportation process.
Improved distribution efficiency. Since this energy production network is distributed, the possible failure in a few nodes of this network does not represent a general failure in this network, eliminating the dependence on a single generator, whose possible failures incur in the lack of energy in large consumption centers.
Savings in bills. As it is self-consumption, the use of this energy represents a reduction in the amount of bills, since only conventional energy will be used to meet the needs not covered with the energy from the microgenerator.
Decrease in subsidies. With the use of distributed grids, in countries where the government provides subsidies to the population for the high costs of electricity production, the amount of these subsidies will be reduced while improving public finances in this area.
Green impact. Because they are air- or sun-based energies, carbon emissions are reduced to practically zero, reducing the greenhouse effect and combating climate change.
We are on a necessary path towards the so-called “smart cities” with the aim of improving the living conditions of the world’s population, making the most of natural resources and reducing waste.
This requires that the raw material of modern society, i.e., electrical energy, be available and accessible to this society, but that its generation and use not represent, at the same time, a problem.
