Network regulation and support schemes – How policy interactions affect the integration of distributed generation

• Published in: Renewable energy Vol. 36; no. 7; pp. 1949 - 1956
• Main Authors: Ropenus, Stephanie, Jacobsen, Henrik Klinge, Schröder, Sascha Thorsten
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.07.2011; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; case studies; Control; Distributed generation; Economic data; Electric energy; Energy; Energy economics; Energy policy; European Union; Exact sciences and technology; General, economic and professional studies; Incentives; issues and policy; Markets; Network regulation; Networks; Operators; Policies; Renewable energy; renewable energy sources; Segments; Support schemes; Tradeoffs; Distributed generation; Support schemes; Network regulation; Renewable energy
• ISSN: 0960-1481; 1879-0682
• DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2010.12.015

This article seeks to investigate the interactions between the policy dimensions of support schemes and network regulation and how they affect distributed generation. Firstly, the incentives of distributed generators and distribution system operators are examined. Frequently there exists a trade-off between the incentives for these two market agents to facilitate the integration of distributed generation. Secondly, the interaction of these policy dimensions is analyzed, including case studies based on five EU Member States. Aspects of operational nature and investments in grid and distributed generation facilities are covered. The question in which policy segment to incorporate locational signals is at the heart of the debate.